Blake Dawson Waldron recently represented AWB in its purchase of the diversified rural services business, Landmark, from Wesfarmers. A deal that is highly significant for AWB and for the Australian agricultural sector.

The $825 million acquisition positions AWB as the leading agribusiness in Australia and strengthens the competitive position of Australia's agricultural produce in world markets.

This very large transaction was negotiated within a tight two-month timeframe.

The large BDW team worked closely together under the direction of lead partner, David Williamson, and AWB general counsel, Jim Cooper. BDW’s role included due diligence investigations, sale and purchase agreement negotiations, completion and integration planning; negotiation of key supply agreements and other ancillary documentation; and AWB’s $250 million equity raising, and its debt finance.

“Completing this transaction within such a tight timetable involved a committed team effort by the AWB team, our own troops (across a series of practice groups and offices) and Macquarie Bank, as well as other advisers. Effective coordination of the different work streams was instrumental in ensuring that simultaneous signing and completion was achieved, on-time,” said Williamson.

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Freehills represented Wesfarmers.

The investment banking adviser to AWB was Macquarie Bank and to Wesfarmers was Gresham Partners.