TIMBER processor James Jones and Sons has expanded its Australian operations with the acquisition of a pallet manufacturer.
The purchase of Melbourne-based Rodpak – undertaken by Hyne Timber, a James Jones and Sons subsidiary – marks the British firm's first move into the pallet market Down Under.
This announcement comes two years after the group acquired a controlling stake in Mayflower Enterprises in Australia, the holding company of Hyne Timber and XLam. The group also holds a majority stake in Rocky Point, one of Australia’s leading suppliers of products to various industries.
Tom Bruce-Jones, chairman of James Jones and Sons, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rodpak to the Group.
"The acquisition forms part of Hyne Timber’s diversification and growth strategy and represents our first entry in to the pallet sector in Australia.”
Hyne Group CEO, Jim Bindon, said the acquisition is an exciting addition for the company.
“Rodpak is a highly regarded business with a long history in the manufacture of softwood timber pallets, with quality equipment and technology, and great customer relationships," he said. “While it will be business as usual for Rodpak’s staff, suppliers and customers, being a part of the Group brings the strengths of the international connections with James Jones and Sons, who are a leading pallet manufacturer in Europe, with fourteen manufacturing sites throughout the United Kingdom."
Hyne expects to finalise the entire acquisition on 1 May 2024, if all completion precedents are met.
Current owner Dean Roderick will remain within the business.
“Becoming part of a national and global ownership model is a significant milestone for us as a business, for our team members, customers and suppliers and we have been pleased with the process to get to this point," he said. “Rodpak is a great business with strong partnerships, built over many years.
"With the local strength and global reach of the wider Group, I am very confident the company is moving in a great direction, and I personally look forward to working with the broader Hyne Group team.”
Elsewhere, James Jones recently completed a series of films with staff members to mark International Women's Day. The videos aimed to showcase the number of careers and opportunities there are across the timber and forestry industry and to dispel the myth that the timber industry is just for men.
The films can be viewed on the timber processor's website.
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