Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (27 May 2026)

If you missed it, last week Mergerloop released a 20 Weeks in Report with key learnings from the first 242 filings in the ACCC merger regime, read it here.

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Liquor Retailing

Endeavour Group Limited proposes to acquire substantially all assets of the Prince of Wales Hotel retail liquor store (Bottlemart) in Muswellbrook, NSW. This asset acquisition from Upper Hunter Motors Pty Limited, plus a leasehold interest from Jabetin Pty Limited, is in the liquor retailing sector.

MN-30012 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 22 May 2026 | determination due 7 Jul 2026 ↗

Cured Meat and Smallgoods Manufacturing

Tibaldi (Aust) Pty Ltd proposes to acquire South Food Group. Both companies are Australian manufacturers and suppliers of pork smallgoods, including ham, bacon, salami, and prosciutto, to retail, supermarket, and food service customers. South Food Group also provides toll manufacturing services. This is an acquisition.

MN-25026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 22 May 2026 | determination due 7 Jul 2026 ↗

Life Insurance | General Insurance

Zurich Insurance Group Ltd proposes to acquire all shares in UK-based global specialty insurer Beazley plc. The transaction involves a share sale, creating competitive overlap in Australian insurance products including Cyber, Marine, and Professional Liability. Zurich is a global multi-line insurer active in Australian life and general insurance.

MN-30016 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 22 May 2026 | determination due 7 Jul 2026 ↗

Liquor Retailing | Accommodation | Pubs, Taverns and Bars | Non-Residential Property Operators

Black Rhino Group proposes to acquire business assets, including the Club Hotel Motel Roma and two bottle shops in Roma, Queensland. The acquisition is from Speedy Cocktails Pty Ltd and Barry John Waldron as trustee for the Barry Waldron Family Trust. This transaction involves hospitality services, accommodation, and retail liquor.

MN-90008 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 May 2026 | determination due 6 Jul 2026 ↗

Telecommunication Goods Wholesaling

Logic Technologies Pty Ltd proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in Ace Communication Distributors Pty Ltd. This transaction involves two Australian wholesale distributors of communication equipment and wireless communication technologies, including two-way radios and push-to-talk devices. Logic Technologies is part of CSE Global Limited.

MN-95021 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 May 2026 | determination due 6 Jul 2026 ↗

Other Petroleum and Coal Product Manufacturing

Stonepeak Partners LP is acquiring 100% of the shares in Castrol Group Holdings Limited, BP p.l.c.'s global lubricants business. Castrol develops, produces, and sells lubricants. BP will reinvest, taking a 35% stake in the acquiring special purpose vehicle, Motion JVCo Limited, with Stonepeak holding 65%.

MN-60015 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 May 2026 | determination due 6 Jul 2026 ↗

Motion Picture and Video Production | Motion Picture and Video Distribution

Banijay Group N.V. and RedBird IMI propose combining Banijay Group's content production and distribution with RedBird's All3Media. This share-based transaction creates Banijay Holding UK Limited, with Banijay Group holding 50% and sole control. The deal is in the audiovisual content production and distribution industry, affecting Banijay's Endemol Shine Australia.

MN-85026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 20 May 2026 | determination due 3 Jul 2026 ↗

Aged Care Residential Services

Opal HealthCare (DPG Services Pty Ltd and OHCA Property Holdings Pty Limited) proposes to acquire the assets and land of two Melbourne aged care homes, Bethel Aged Care and Anzac Lodge, from Java Dale Pty Ltd and Bethel Amen Pty Ltd. Each 121-bed home expands Opal HealthCare's residential aged care services.

MN-15019 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 20 May 2026 | determination due 3 Jul 2026 ↗

Computer System Design and Related Services

OMERS Apollo Investment Holdings LLC, through Integris, LLC, proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in First Focus IT Pty Ltd. This share acquisition combines two IT managed service providers for mid-sized businesses. Integris, an international provider, will gain Australian and New Zealand market presence via First Focus.

MN-40022 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 19 May 2026 | determination due 2 Jul 2026 ↗

Financial Asset Investing | Other Auxiliary Finance and Investment Services

Magellan Financial Group Ltd proposes to acquire the remaining shares it does not already own in Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group Holdings Pty Limited. This share acquisition involves two Australian financial services firms, with Magellan focusing on investment management and Barrenjoey on M&A advisory, capital markets, and trading services.

MN-95007 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 19 May 2026 | determination due 2 Jul 2026 ↗

Wooden Furniture and Upholstered Seat Manufacturing | Furniture Retailing

Allegro Fund IV LP, via Fantastic Group BidCo Pty Ltd, has completed the 100% share acquisition of Australian furniture and bedding products retailer and manufacturer, Fantastic Furniture Pty Limited and its related entities. Allegro is a private equity fund manager.

WA-55019 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 15 May 2026 | approved 26 May 2026 ↗

Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing | Computer System Design and Related Services

Wipro Enterprises Private Limited, via its subsidiary Wipro Pari Italy S.r.l., is acquiring a 91% interest in Indeco Ind S.p.A. and its subsidiaries. This share acquisition combines Wipro's hydraulic cylinder manufacturing with Indeco's hydraulic demolition hammers and excavator attachments, used in mining, construction, and demolition sectors. Both entities have an Australian presence.

WA-35016 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 1 May 2026 | approved 26 May 2026 ↗

Software Publishing | Financial Asset Investing | Other Auxiliary Finance and Investment Services

Blackstone Credit, part of Blackstone Inc., is undertaking a capital structuring transaction to recapitalise US-based software company Medallia. This involves converting a portion of Blackstone Credit's existing debt interest in Medallia into a majority equity stake, supporting Medallia's continued operation amidst financial challenges.

WA-65018 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 15 May 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting | Financial Asset Investing | Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Services

EQT Fund Management, via BPEA Private Equity Fund IX and Kamgras 1 K.K., proposes to acquire all shares and share options in Japanese online price comparison and consumer information platform Kakaku.com, Inc. Kakaku.com's subsidiary generates commission from Australian customers booking bundled travel packages. This is a share sale.

WA-45015 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 12 May 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Gold Ore Mining

Zijin Mining Group, a global miner with Australian gold operations, is acquiring a 25.85% shareholding and controlling power in Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining. Chifeng operates gold mines in China, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, exporting to Australia.

WA-25020 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 11 May 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Other Auxiliary Finance and Investment Services | Computer System Design and Related Services

Adyen N.V., a global payments platform provider, proposes to acquire 100% of the issued shares in Talon.One GmbH, a software company supplying a promotion, loyalty and incentive management platform. This share acquisition will grant Adyen sole control over Talon.One.

WA-01098 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 8 May 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Other Ceramic Product Manufacturing | Financial Asset Investing

Triton Group funds are acquiring sole control of Protego Holdco B.V., which owns Integris Composites. Integris is a global supplier of composite armour systems and protection solutions for armed forces and defence contractors. This share acquisition sees Triton take over from funds advised by Agilitas Private Equity.

WA-20020 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 8 May 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Labour Supply Services

Global alternative investment manager Hillhouse, through Hermes Bidco, proposes to acquire a majority interest in KMC Solutions Hong Kong Limited. The transaction involves businesses providing labour supply services, including employer of record (EOR) and professional employer organisation (PEO) services, with operations relevant to Australia.

WA-75021 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 28 April 2026 | approved 25 May 2026 ↗

Beef Cattle Feedlots (Specialised) | Meat Processing

Australian Meat Group Pty Ltd, an Australian beef processor, acquired Killara Feedlot Pty Ltd, a specialised beef cattle feedlot in NSW and subsidiary of Elders Rural Services Australia Limited. The deal included 100% of Killara's issued share capital, livestock, and general stock inventory.

MN-20012 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 24 April 2026 | approved 22 May 2026 ↗

Other Professional and Scientific Equipment Manufacturing | Professional and Scientific Goods Wholesaling | Other Auxiliary Finance and Investment Services

American Industrial Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, proposes to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of US-headquartered medical device business Avanos Medical, Inc. Avanos Medical specialises in Specialty Nutrition Systems and Pain Management & Recovery solutions. This transaction is structured as a share sale.

WA-85027 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 12 May 2026 | approved 22 May 2026 ↗

Airport Operations and Other Air Transport Support Services | Non-Residential Property Operators

REST, Aware Super, MassMutual, and Goodman are acquiring 100% of Moorabbin Airport Corporation Pty Ltd shares and associated non-aviation commercial property leasehold interests. This transaction involves airport operations, primarily general aviation, and non-residential property assets. Goodman is reducing its existing interest.

MN-10012 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 April 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

Bauxite Mining | Alumina Production | Aluminium Smelting | Port and Water Transport Terminal Operations | Non-Depository Financing | Defence

Alcoa Gallium Holdings, the United States Department of War, and the Australian Government (via Export Finance Australia) are subscribing to shares in United States-Australia Gallium Pty Ltd. This SPV will acquire an interest in an unincorporated joint venture with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd to develop a Western Australian gallium production plant, supplying critical goods.

WA-75022 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 14 May 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

Medical and Surgical Equipment Manufacturing | Professional and Scientific Goods Wholesaling

Midea Imaging Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. proposes an indirect share acquisition of 77.5% of Esaote S.p.A., resulting in Midea Group Co., Ltd. owning 87.73%. This expands Midea's healthcare division, a medical imaging products and services supplier, into Esaote's medical diagnostic equipment, including ultrasound and MRI systems.

WA-05020 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 7 May 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

Computer System Design and Related Services

Cognizant Technology Solutions is acquiring Astreya Partners, Inc. and its Australian subsidiary, Astreya Pty Ltd, via merger. Both companies provide IT managed services. Cognizant offers broad IT solutions; Astreya specialises in digital workplace, end-user computing, and cloud/infrastructure management. Astreya will become a wholly owned subsidiary.

WA-70019 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 7 May 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

Cafes and Restaurants | Pubs, Taverns and Bars

AVC Operations Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Australian Venue Co., will acquire substantially all assets of the licensed Courthouse Hotel business in Newtown, NSW. The vendors are Flotto Holdings Pty. Ltd. and Austlen Pty Limited. This asset sale expands Australian Venue Co.'s portfolio of over 200 pubs and venues.

WA-50017 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 7 May 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

Other Allied Health Services

MedHealth Pty Ltd, an ExamWorks Group subsidiary, is acquiring all assets of Connect Allied Health. Connect provides multi-disciplinary allied health services in South Australia, including speech, occupational, and physiotherapy. This asset acquisition expands MedHealth's national allied health services, which cater to NDIS participants and other clients.

WA-30014 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 6 May 2026 | approved 21 May 2026 ↗

No rejections published since last edition.