Highlights 2009

During a time of global financial uncertainty, the M&A market in 2009, both within Australia and across the globe, experienced fewer mergers and acquisitions in comparison to 2008 as companies focused more closely on recapitalising their balance sheets.  Despite this downturn, Gilbert + Tobin continued to advise its valued clients on key M&A transactions, including three of the largest M&A deals in Australia for 2009 . Gilbert + Tobin was also awarded M&A Deal of the Year and Australasian Deal of the Year at the ALB Australasian Law Awards for its work advising on the Westpac and St George Bank merger.  Other highlights include:

  • Advised GrainCorp Limited on its acquisition of the United Malt Holdings group (UMH), one of the largest commercial malt manufacturers in the world for an enterprise value of A$757 million. Partner involved: John Williamson-Noble.
  • Advised eircom Holdings Limited on its sale to Emerald Communications (Cayman) SPC (ECC) (a bid vehicle established by STT Communications Ltd). Partner and lawyer involved: Garry Besson and Melinda Sanders.
  • Advised Lend Lease Primelife Group on its sale to Lend Lease Corporation Limited. Partner and lawyer involved: Garry Besson and Michael Gajic.
  • Advised AGL Energy, Australia’s largest integrated renewable energy company, on the sale and long-term offtake and management of its Hallett 4 (132 MW) wind farm in South Australia to the Energy Infrastructure Investments consortium. Partners involved: Vincent Dwyer, John Schembri, Hanh Chau, Amanda Hempel, Emanuel Confos, Noni Shannon, Caroline Power.
  • Advised NSW Government on the investigation of the proposed sales of NSW Lotteries and Pillar Administration. Partners involved: Bryan Pointon and John Williamson-Noble.
  • Advised LJ Resurrection Pty Limited on its acquisition of the L J Hooker business from Suncorp Metway. Partner involved: Charles Bogle.
  • Advised Crescent Capital Partners on the acquisition of Bay Audiology for A$157 million.  Bay Audiology was sold to National Hearing Care, a company associated with Crescent Capital Partners. Partner involved: John Williamson-Noble.
  • Advised IFFCO Poultry CO. Limited on its 19.9% acquisition of ordinary shares in Australian Agricultural Company. Partner involved: Adam Laura.
  • Advised CPH Management Limited on the sale of its pastoral company Consolidated Pastoral Company. Partner involved: Charles Bogle.