Lindsay Australia has expanded its rural merchandising footprint in Victoria and New South Wales through the Acquisition of WB Hunter stores in a purchase worth $34.6m.
Established in 1947 by WB “Bill” Hunter, WB Hunter is a leading rural merchandising operator. WB Hunter specialises in the provision of rural supplies (chemicals, nutrients, fencing and livestock products), agricultural services (agronomy and feed testing services), trade essentials (hardware, timber and trade supplies) and pet products.
WB Hunter has been 100% Australian owned and operated since its foundation and currently employs over 125 staff from local communities. The company has eight stores spanning Victoria (seven stores) and one store in New South Wales.
The WB Hunter network boasts a diversified sales mix of key agricultural supplies and supporting services to a broad base of over 10,000 commercial and retail customers
Acting Lindsay Australia CEO Craig Baker said, “We are delighted to welcome WB Hunter into the Lindsay network. WB Hunter has a longstanding and highly successful operating history, serving as an integral member of Australia’s rural supplies market.
“The Acquisition expands Lindsay’s presence in key growth markets of Victoria and New South Wales and provides a strong platform for pursuing further growth opportunities across these regions.
“As part of the Acquisition, Michael Moroney will continue to oversee operations as director and CEO of WB Hunter under a long-term agreement with Lindsay. Michael has built a business based on operational excellence, and we look forward to the WB Hunter team continuing their journey as part of Lindsay.”
Lindsay Rural represents a key component of Lindsay’s end-to-end food supply chain solution, supplying an extensive range of agricultural products including packaging, fertilisers, chemicals, nutrients and irrigation equipment across a network of 21 stores.
Mr Baker said following the completion of the acquisition, Lindsay Rural will have a consolidated rural merchandising network across Australia’s east coast. Lindsay will utilise WB Hunter’s network to further expand into the Victorian and NSW agricultural supply markets.
“This broadened operating footprint offers a robust platform for Lindsay to pursue growth opportunities across all service lines.
“This geographic diversification provides additional downside risk protection against weather-related disruptions to agricultural production in various growing regions.
“Further, the introduction of new products and services into the Lindsay Rural network will enable the consolidation of profitable market share in Lindsay’s existing operating regions.”
