P&O Ports Ltd has expanded its services following the acquisition of Australian ports logistics service provider Smith Bros Terminal Pty Ltd, through its subsidiary P&O Trans Australia, for an undisclosed sum.
P&O Ports Ltd has expanded its services following the acquisition of Australian ports logistics service provider Smith Bros Terminal Pty Ltd, through its subsidiary P&O Trans Australia, for an undisclosed sum.
Smith Bros focuses on container packaging and unpacking and container distribution.
The business has operations in Sydney and Brisbane, close to P&O Ports’ existing container terminals.
The purchase opens the door for P&O Ports to provide new and extended capacity for packaging and distribution in Sydney and Brisbane.
While speculation of the buy surfaced some months ago, Smith Bros had denied that talks were being held between the companies as late as August.
P&O Trans Australia general manager Peter Matthews said while Smith Bros did not have any direct involvement in the WA market, the purchase would benefit Western Australian clients by providing a seamless logistics solution for the import and export of containers around the country.
Smith Bros assets include bonded customs areas with three warehouses.
The two main facilities are 20 acres at Port Botany, New South Wales, and 30 acres at Fisherman Islands in Queensland. Smith Bros brings to P&O Ports’ some of Australia’s largest companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Amcor and Woolworths, as well as Nestle.
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