Australian water specialist HydroChem has expanded its national manufacturing presence with the acquisition of Western Australian chemical manufacturer Environex, a move that brings together two long-established family businesses while keeping Environex’s manufacturing operations and brand intact.
In a media release, HydroChem said it completed the acquisition in early February, purchasing Environex, a privately owned company with more than 50 years of trading history.
Environex will continue to operate independently, maintaining its branded product lines and chemical manufacturing facilities in Perth, Brisbane and Bunbury.
HydroChem chief executive Nick Duncan said the transaction was focused on strengthening manufacturing capability rather than duplication.
“Environex is a family business with a culture similar to our own,” Duncan said. “Bringing the two teams together will complement rather than replicate what we already do.”
According to HydroChem, the combined group will operate four manufacturing facilities and eight dangerous goods storage facilities across Australia, supplying customers in sectors including industry, food and beverage, mining and stone care.
It noted the merged businesses will employ more than 300 staff and generate annual turnover exceeding AUD$80 million.
Duncan said the expanded manufacturing and logistics footprint was expected to improve efficiency and service reach.
“HydroChem’s manufacturing capacity, national service responsiveness and industrial client base are all major beneficiaries of this move,” he said.
He added that combining operations could help reduce transport complexity and costs. “The combined entity will manufacture across four facilities with an additional eight dangerous goods storage facilities, reducing the logistics and costs associated with supplying chemicals to clients across major cities and regional areas,” Duncan said.
Duncan said the broader scale of the combined businesses created new opportunities, noting that “without doubt, the market presence of this partnership is greater than the sum of its parts.”
The company said the acquisition formally took effect in early February.
