Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (29 July 2026)

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Protech Group (Aust) Pty Ltd proposes to acquire 100% of the shares of ActivateRail Pty Ltd. Protech provides workforce solutions to technical industries, including rail operations. ActivateRail specialises in rail safety and site management services. This share acquisition will integrate their respective capabilities within the technical and rail sectors.

MN-05027 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 28 July 2026 | determination due 8 Sep 2026 ↗

Obayashi Corporation, a Japanese construction contractor, proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in the Multiplex Group, a construction company operating in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Both parties are involved in large-scale building and infrastructure projects, with Obayashi also active in renewable energy.

MN-05031 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 27 July 2026 | determination due 7 Sep 2026 ↗

Publicis Groupe S.A. is acquiring 100% of LiveRamp Holdings, Inc.'s outstanding shares. Publicis, a media and communications group, and LiveRamp, a data unification and activation platform provider, both supply data collaboration services. These services are inputs for media activation and broader ad-tech agency services.

MN-60026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 27 July 2026 | determination due 7 Sep 2026 ↗

Global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie Inc. proposes to acquire all outstanding shares of clinical-stage biotechnology company Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. This share acquisition targets therapies for inflammatory and immunological diseases, with both companies developing treatments for atopic dermatitis. Apogee's lead asset is a Phase 2b monoclonal antibody.

MN-90027 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 27 July 2026 | determination due 7 Sep 2026 ↗

Coles Supermarkets Australia, a subsidiary of Coles Group, has signed a letter of offer for a proposed lease with Saracen Properties. This commercial property transaction involves a new Coles supermarket site within a neighbourhood centre at Clementine Village, Upper Swan, WA, anticipated to open in July 2029.

MN-05030 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 24 July 2026 | determination due 4 Sep 2026 ↗

Estia Investments Pty Ltd, majority owned by Bain Capital Private Equity, proposes to acquire substantially all the business assets of six residential aged care homes from not-for-profit Anglicare SA Ltd. The transaction involves residential aged care services in metropolitan Adelaide, where both parties operate.

MN-55029 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 24 July 2026 | determination due 4 Sep 2026 ↗

GIC affiliate Petalite Investment Pte. Ltd. proposes to acquire approximately 32% of the equity interests in private equity firm Cinven Discovery Holdings Limited Partnership. Cinven, with management, owns the Envu Group, which supplies non-agricultural weed, disease, and pest control products in Australia, including for turf, pest management, and forestry.

MN-90024 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 24 July 2026 | determination due 4 Sep 2026 ↗

Insurance Building Australia Operations Pty Ltd (Ambrose Construct Group), majority owned by CPE Capital funds, proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in Major LB Pty Ltd (Major Loss Builders). This transaction combines two national insurance repair and restoration companies, with Major Loss Builders specialising in large loss commercial and residential insurance building services across Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

MN-10021 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 22 July 2026 | determination due 2 Sep 2026 ↗

McCarroll's Automotive Group proposes to acquire substantially all the assets, including land, of the motor vehicle dealership businesses of Kinghorn Motors and Country Motor Company. This asset acquisition involves Nowra/Illawarra region dealerships representing brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Isuzu, and GWM.

MN-65026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 22 July 2026 | determination due 2 Sep 2026 ↗

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated proposes to acquire 100% of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s issued shares. This share acquisition involves Vertex, a US-based biotechnology company with TGA-approved products in Australia, and Crinetics, a US-based pharmaceutical company focused on endocrine diseases.

MN-05036 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 July 2026 | determination due 1 Sep 2026 ↗

Sanad Services Group (ultimately Mubadala Investment Company) and Tikehau Capital's Ace Aéro Partenaires II fund propose to acquire Revima Holding SAS. Revima provides global aircraft auxiliary power unit and landing gear maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Sanad Services also operates in aircraft maintenance. This is a share acquisition.

MN-25037 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 July 2026 | determination due 1 Sep 2026 ↗

L'Oréal S.A., via its L'Oréal India Private Limited subsidiary, proposes a share acquisition of 65.22% of Onesto Labs Private Limited (Innovist). This transaction unites two beauty and personal care product companies. L'Oréal distributes brands like Garnier and Aesop, while Innovist sells Bare Anatomy and Chemist at Play in Australia.

MN-35029 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 21 July 2026 | determination due 31 Aug 2026 ↗

Black Kite Partners Pty Ltd, HarbourVest Global Private Solution SICAV S.A., and MA Financial Group Limited acquired 100% of the share capital in DR2 Holdings Pty Ltd. DR2 provides telehealth and face-to-face consultations, including after-hours via 13Sick and DoctorDoctor, and a surgical assistant placement service.

WA-80025 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 28 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Kinetic Holding Company Pty Ltd acquired 100% of L.C. Dyson’s Bus Services Pty Ltd shares and related bus depot assets via interdependent share and asset sales. This consolidates bus and coach services in Victoria, regional New South Wales, and regional South Australia, covering urban, school, regional, and charter operations.

MN-35017 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

Sapphire Cattle Company, part of the Hewitt group, has acquired Nolan Meats Pty Ltd, including its land and assets. This transaction in the red meat production industry sees Hewitt, a red meat producer, acquire Nolan Meats, a beef producer with a 260,000 head annual capacity processing facility and a 4,000 standard cattle unit feedlot.

MN-35018 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 1 July 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

SpaceX, via a subsidiary, acquires 100% of the shares in Anysphere, Inc. Uniting AI coding tool developers, SpaceX's xAI develops Grok models and Grok Build. Anysphere operates Cursor, an AI coding tool utilising various large language models, including Grok and its own Composer.

MN-85036 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

Dolphin BidCo, operating State Swim brand swim schools in WA, VIC, SA, and Singapore, proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in In2Swim Pty Limited. In2Swim operates a swim school in Brookvale, NSW, expanding Dolphin BidCo's national footprint in the swim school industry.

WA-01112 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 2 July 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

CVC Capital Partners, through its advised funds, proposes to acquire all equity interests in Chess Holdings, LLC, which operates the Chess.com online chess gaming and services platform. General Atlantic, L.P., the current majority owner, will retain a 14% non-controlling minority stake. Chess.com has over 248 million registered users globally.

WA-05033 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 3 July 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Dolphin BidCo Pty Ltd, operating 'State Swim' branded swim schools, is acquiring the 'Swim Plus' branded swim school businesses of Mt Barker, Norwood, and Findon, and the intellectual property of Swim Plus Pty Ltd. This asset acquisition expands State Swim's presence in the Greater Adelaide children's swim lesson market.

WA-95032 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 6 July 2026 | approved 27 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Midea Group Co., Ltd will acquire a majority of shares in Australian whitegoods and electronic household appliance distributor, Residentia Holdings Pty Ltd. Midea, a global manufacturer and OEM supplier, currently supplies Residentia. This share acquisition in the appliance sector has been approved.

MN-01106 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 26 June 2026 | approved 24 July 2026 ↗

Allianz Group, via AWP Australia, is acquiring certain assets of nib Travel's Australian travel insurance distribution portfolio. This asset sale includes a distribution agreement enabling nib Group to continue distributing Allianz travel insurance products to its health insurance customers. The transaction involves two significant insurance providers.

MN-80024 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 3 July 2026 | approved 24 July 2026 ↗

Tasmea Limited will acquire 100% of JPS Holdings Pty Ltd via a Share Purchase Agreement. Tasmea, a diversified specialist trade-skill services group for mining, resources, power, and water, will gain JPS Holdings, an integrated operations and project execution services provider to the Australian oil and gas sector.

WA-25039 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 3 July 2026 | approved 24 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Sonnel Hospitality Group, a Sydney-based hospitality group, is acquiring the Peakhurst Inn Hotel from entities associated with JDA Collective. This transaction involves two concurrent asset purchases: the freehold/land and the business, goodwill, plant, equipment, and stock. Both parties operate in the hotel and hospitality services industry.

WA-75033 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 6 July 2026 | approved 24 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Tata Motors Limited, via its subsidiary TML CV Holdings B.V., proposes to acquire 100% of the common shares of Netherlands-based Iveco Group N.V., excluding its defence business unit. This share acquisition involves two global players in the commercial vehicle (trucks and buses) and powertrain products industry.

WA-85037 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 3 July 2026 | approved 24 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

Genea Pty Ltd acquired Care Fertility Greenslopes Pty Ltd, an IVF and fertility business in Greenslopes, Queensland. The transaction included an associated trust and intellectual property. Genea operates IVF clinics nationally, including in Brisbane. Care Fertility was ultimately owned and controlled by Dr Clare Boothroyd.

MN-01104 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 19 June 2026 | approved 23 July 2026 ↗

WSP Australia Pty Limited, a global engineering consulting firm, acquired substantially all assets and the business of Geotechnical Testing and Interpretation Pty Ltd. This asset sale expands WSP's geotechnical testing and interpretation services in Australia, particularly enhancing its offshore marine testing capabilities and laboratory network.

MN-01107 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 26 June 2026 | approved 23 July 2026 ↗

A consortium led by Stonepeak Partners LP and Axight Capital Limited acquired 100% of Estia Health Holdings Ltd's issued share capital. Estia operates 94 residential aged care homes nationally. Stonepeak also holds an interest in Aura Holdings, a retirement village operator.

MN-50026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 22 July 2026 ↗

Symal Group Limited acquired Shamrock Group, comprising Shamrock Equipment Pty Ltd, Shamrock Civil Engineering Pty Ltd, Phoenix Investments Queensland Pty Ltd, and certain assets. This transaction consolidates civil construction and engineering services across sectors like roads, defence, and energy, structured as a share and asset acquisition.

MN-50030 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 1 July 2026 | approved 22 July 2026 ↗

SLB N.V. is acquiring S&P Global Inc.’s geoscience and engineering software portfolio. This asset acquisition involves software for upstream oil and gas exploration and production. SLB is a global technology company in the energy sector, while S&P Global provides information and data, including an energy division.

MN-75027 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 30 June 2026 | approved 22 July 2026 ↗

KKR, via Frames ExchangeCo Ltd., is acquiring the outstanding units of Fyi Holdings LP (FYihealth), a diversified healthcare organisation specialising in optometry and related health services. FYihealth operates over 370 optical clinics in Canada and the US. Management and optometry professionals will rollover a minimum 20% equity.

WA-01110 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 27 June 2026 | approved 22 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

The merger between global paints and coatings manufacturer Akzo Nobel N.V. and global coatings manufacturer Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. has been approved. AkzoNobel will acquire Axalta via a subsidiary merger, remaining the surviving entity. Both companies supply vehicle refinish and powder coatings in Australia.

MN-50024 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 24 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft will acquire 100% of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd shares. This share acquisition involves two international container liner shipping companies, with overlaps in services between Asia and Australia, specifically the Australian East Coast and various Chinese and Korean ports.

MN-65022 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 29 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

OpenAI Group PBC, controlled by OpenAI Foundation, is acquiring 100% of the share capital of Gitpod, Inc. (Ona). This share sale combines OpenAI's AI foundational models and developer agents with Ona's platform for deploying and orchestrating AI-powered software engineering agents for enterprise customers.

MN-90020 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 26 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Coles Group Property Developments, a subsidiary of ASX-listed Coles Group, is acquiring land at 22 Palmwoods Montville Road, Palmwoods QLD, from Neubau Holdings No 22. This asset purchase facilitates the development of a new standalone Coles supermarket, expanding Coles' retail footprint on the Sunshine Coast.

WA-75030 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 24 June 2026 | approved 21 July 2026 ↗

Editor note: deal both new and approved

INNIO Holding GmbH (INNIO Group) acquired 100% of the share capital in Enerflex Service Pty Limited. INNIO Group is a global manufacturer of gas power units. Enerflex provides aftermarket services, including spare parts, repair, and maintenance, for gas compression and energy infrastructure operators in Australia.

MN-80021 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 25 June 2026 | approved 27 Jul 2026 ↗

Transocean Limited proposes to acquire Valaris Limited via merger, with Transocean shareholders owning 53% and Valaris shareholders 47% of the combined entity. Both companies provide global offshore contract drilling services, supplying rigs to oil and gas customers. The ACCC has approved this transaction.

MN-25019 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 16 June 2026 | approved 27 Jul 2026 ↗

No rejections published since last edition.