Jebsen & Jessen Group acquires majority stake in Safetech, Australia’s premier dock products and lifting solutions company

Singapore, 4 March 2024 – Diversified industrial conglomerate Jebsen & Jessen Group and Safetech, Australia’s premier dock products and lifting solutions company, today announced the signing of a strategic partnership that will see Jebsen & Jessen acquire a majority stake in Safetech.

As two family businesses with enduring legacies, shared values and a commitment to excellence, Jebsen & Jessen Group and Safetech will combine their expertise to provide a broader product range and exceptional customer service to the Australian material handling industry. The deal is expected to be completed on 28 March 2024.

This partnership expands upon the Jebsen & Jessen Group’s ‘Advance & Build’ strategy, which also saw the acquisition of MHE-Demag’s Industrial Products (IPD) Business in February 2023, now known as MHE, as well as Electro-Mechanical Services (EMS) in Australia, both forming Jebsen & Jessen’s Material Handling division. ​

Leveraging Safetech’s established sales, engineering and manufacturing operations in Australia, the partnership creates further synergies for Jebsen & Jessen’s Material Handling division in Australia. It will bring together diversified product portfolios from MHE, EMS, and Safetech, a larger sales and service network in Australia, and access to Safetech’s Australian-designed and manufactured products for Jebsen & Jessen’s key markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We are honoured to warmly welcome Safetech’s 180 experienced colleagues into the Jebsen & Jessen Family. Safetech’s long-standing leadership in the market, coupled with their unwavering commitment to excellence and shared values that closely resonate with our own, truly distinguishes them as an exceptional partner,” said Per Magnusson, Group CEO, Jebsen & Jessen Group. “This partnership aligns with our Advance & Build strategy, driving accelerated growth and solidifying our 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. Safetech is a major force in Australia’s material handling industry, and our ambition is twofold – to empower its growth by utilising Jebsen & Jessen Group’s resources and to uncover synergies across the Material Handling business in Australia and beyond,” said Karl Tilkorn, Regional Director of Jebsen & Jessen’s Material Handling business.

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 4 factories in regional Victoria – has been driven by the ingenuity and creativity of a talented team and a strong belief that Australia needs local 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.

Upon the finalisation of the deal, Safetech’s current commercial operations, personnel, offices and factories will remain. Honouring its long heritage of Australian-based engineering and manufacturing capacities, Safetech will continue to produce and market its Australian-designed and manufactured products under its current branding.

About Jebsen & Jessen Group

We are an ASEAN-focused industrial conglomerate with a diverse network of businesses spanning manufacturing, engineering, and distribution activities.

The five core business units – Cable Technology, Ingredients, Life Sciences, Packaging and Technology – are present in 9 countries and deliver through various locations across Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The Material Handling business resides in the Technology business unit. Our 11 manufacturing facilities are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. Our 2,800 colleagues work as one to develop meaningful products and services for the 20,000 customers we serve.

Jebsen & Jessen Group forms part of a global family enterprise that dates back to a trading partnership formed in Hong Kong in 1895. Beyond the region, we are closely connected to a network of sister companies in Australia, Europe and Greater China.

For more information, visit www.jjsea.com.

About Safetech

For 40 years, Safetech has been recognised for innovation and expertise in dock products and lifting solutions. More than 80% of Australia’s supermarkets utilise our logistical equipment and our products provide critical support to Australian manufacturers, warehouses, miners, and commercial builders.

Safetech is Australia’s leading designer and manufacturer of dock products, freight hoists, scissor lifts, pallet loading and handling equipment, and vehicle lifts. Our Australian-based engineering and manufacturing capacity, extensive custom-design expertise and a national sales and service footprint reliably service the entire country. In 2006 Safetech was named Australian Telstra Business of the Year. In 2019 we were the Victorian Manufacturer of the Year. We are proud to have received this prestigious award as recognition of the efforts, achievements and support from our employees, suppliers, community and customers.

Media Contact:

Mei Huang, Loh – Regional Marketing Manager, MHE – a Jebsen & Jessen brand
Email: meihuang_loh@jjsea.com