Jebsen and Jessen Buy Major Shareholding in Safetech
Industrial conglomerate Jebsen and Jessen Group is acquiring a majority share in Australian dock and lifting products company Safetech as part of a strategic partnership which the two family businesses say will benefit the Australian materials handling industry. Jebsen and Jessen is an ASEAN-focused conglomerate with businesses spanning manufacturing, engineering, and heat induction bending services and 11 manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam. Its core businesses are cable and other technology, ingredients, life sciences, and packaging. Safetech invented the successful Palift pallet leveller in 1984 and the company has since developed a range of world-class materials handling equipment which includes dock products, freight hoists, scissor lifts, pallet loading and mining plant and equipment, and vehicle lifts. Today, more than 80% of Australia’s supermarkets use Safetech equipment as do manufacturers, warehouses, miners, and commercial builders.
Safetech and Jebsen and Jessen will combine their expertise to provide a broader product range and exceptional customer service in materials handling. The deal is expected to be completed on 28 March 2024. The partnership builds on Jebsen and Jessen’s growth strategy which saw the acquisition of MHE-Demag’s Industrial Products (IPD) business in February 2023 (MHE), as well as Electro-Mechanical Services (EMS) in Australia — the two together form Jebsen and Jessen’s material handling division. The partnership creates further synergies for Jebsen and Jessen’s materials handling division in Australia. It will bring together product portfolios from MHE, EMS, and Safetech’s established sales, engineering, and structural metal product manufacturing operations in Australia, as well as access to Safetech’s Australian-designed and manufactured products for Jebsen and Jessen’s key markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Jebsen and Jessen’s Group CEO Per Magnusson said the partnership aligns with the company’s ‘advance and build’ strategy, to drive accelerated growth and its presence in Australia. “Building upon the foundation laid by the acquisition of EMS last year, our strategic partnership with Safetech will significantly enhance our footprint in Australia’s dynamic and thriving market and deliver enhanced value for customers.” Karl Tilkorn, Regional Director of Jebsen and Jessen’s materials handling business said Safetech is a major force in Australia’s material handling industry. “And our ambition is twofold – to empower its growth by utilising Jebsen and Jessen Group’s resources and to uncover synergies across the material handling business in Australia and beyond.”
In a joint management structure, Lindsay Wakefield, Founder and Managing Director of Safetech, will retain a stake in the business as a minority shareholder and continue to serve in the business. “From Safetech’s founding, we have continually invested in Australian engineering and manufacturing. Our journey — from a single outsourced product to 180 staff with four factories in regional Victoria — has been driven by the ingenuity and creativity of a talented team and a strong belief that Australia needs local steel manufacturing. Safetech’s partnership with Jebsen and Jessen will help us maintain that legacy as we continue to grow and strive to provide our customers with outstanding products backed by national service and support,” added Lindsay Wakefield. Safetech’s commercial operations, personnel, offices, and factories will remain after the deal is finalised. Honouring its long heritage of Australian-based engineering and manufacturing capacities, Safetech’s branding will continue to market its Australian-designed and manufactured products.
