German investments in Australia tipped to increase

The prediction comes as two legal heavyweights act in an $80m acquisition

German investments in Australia tipped to increase
Two legal heavyweights have advised on the $80m acquisition of an Australian cleaning giant.

Allens advised Freudenberg Household Products on its acquisition of E.D. Oates from GUD Holdings, which was advised by Herbert Smith Freehills.

Oates is the leading company in Australia in the professional cleaning sector. The acquisition will drive Freudenberg’s growth for its household products business in the country, Allens said.

The firm also said that the acquisition is part of a trend.

“The acquisition is part of a broader increase in German investment in Australian businesses, a trend we believe is set to continue as Australia's free-trade agreement with the EU progresses,” said Mark Malinas, who led the Allens team that advised on the transaction.

The firm had fielded a team from its corporate and competition, consumer, regulatory, property, banking and finance, employment and safety, tax, and intellectual property practices for the deal. In the corporate team, Malinas was assisted by senior associate Hannah Biggins and associates Thomas Wallrich, Evan Lacey, and George Klonis. In the corporate team, partners Rob Walker and Kon Stellios acted on the deal, assisted by associates Fiona Sam and Nikita Harrison.

This deal marks the second transaction in which Allens had advised Freudenberg.


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