Allens has advised Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP) and a consortium comprised of entities controlled by PSP, Driscoll's and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation on its successful acquisition of Costa Group Holdings Limited for an enterprise value of $2.459 billion by way of scheme of arrangement. The transaction completed in late February following receipt of Costa shareholder approval and the approval of the Federal Court of Australia.
Costa Group Holdings Limited is Australia's largest horticulture group and a leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables. It operates across five core categories including citrus, berries, mushrooms, tomatoes and avocados.
'We are delighted to have advised PSP and the Consortium on this significant transaction, which invests in the continued growth of Australia's food supply chain and congratulate them on this outstanding outcome,' said lead Partner Jeremy Low.
Allens advised on all aspects of the transaction in M&A, finance, tax, competition and FIRB, real estate and property, IP and employment.
Allens legal team
M&A and Capital Markets
Jeremy Low (Lead Partner), Tom Story (Partner), Franki Ganter (Partner), Andrew Wong (Counsel), James Nguyen (Managing Associate), Vincent Pang (Senior Associate), Terence Zhou (Senior Associate), Georgie Leahy (Senior Associate), Nicholas Dudurovic (Senior Associate), Chris Yuan (Associate), Harry Fenton (Lawyer), Eleanor Skuza (Lawyer), Kevin Ren (Lawyer)
Banking & Finance
David Couper (Partner), Brian Kirkup (Senior Associate)
Tax
Joseph Power (Partner), Jay Prasad (Managing Associate), Tom Tian (Managing Associate) George Bishop (Senior Associate), Sevanne McGarity (Associate)
Competition
Carolyn Oddie (Partner), Kirsty van den Bergh (Senior Associate)
Real Estate & Development
Annabelle Aland (Partner), Bill McCredie (Partner), Elysia Liekefett (Senior Associate), Tristan Hall (Senior Associate)
Intellectual Property
Caroline Ryan (Partner), Tracy Lu (Managing Associate)
Employment & Safety
Sikeli Ratu (Partner), Virginia Dore (Associate)
Court process
Kim Reid (Partner), Tyler Goldberg (Senior Associate), Lachlan Macdonald (Lawyer)