HWL Ebsworth advises Gina Rinehart’s S. Kidman & Co on the acquisition of iconic Australian brands Driza-Bone and Rossi Boots

19 December 2023

HWL Ebsworth has advised Gina Rinehart’s S. Kidman & Co. on the acquisition of two iconic Australian brands from Australian fashion company, Propel Group.

S. Kidman & Co has acquired two of Australia’s much-loved outback brands in Driza-Bone and Rossi Boots.

The two heritage Australian rural brands, each have over 100 years of history.

Corporate and M&A Special Counsel, Paul Lewis, worked closely with the inhouse team for the Kidman group to secure the acquisition, with M&A Partner, Jeremy McCarthy, leading the firm’s involvement in the transaction.

The Driza-Bone oilskin jackets have featured in films like “The Man from Snowy River” and were part of the official 2000 Olympic Games uniform worn by Australian athletes.

Rossi’s history dates to the early 1900s. It’s best known for its iconic combat boots, designed for soldiers in World War I and which led to a decades-long partnership with the Australian Defence Force.

Following the purchase, S. Kidman & Co has stated it plans to expand the labels’ ranges to increase its market overseas.


Note to Editors:

HWL Ebsworth is the largest legal partnership in Australia according to the most recent partnership surveys published by the Australian Financial Review.

The firm comprises 1,671, staff including 278 Partners, 1,020 other legal staff and 373 support staff across offices in nine locations – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart, Norwest (North West Sydney), Perth and Sydney.

HWL Ebsworth is an independent, nationally integrated, full service commercial law firm, providing tailored and commercially oriented legal services.

HWL Ebsworth operates a different business model to the other leading national law practices, and this allows us to offer unrivalled value for money without compromising quality and service. Our low ratio of solicitors to partners ensures that our clients receive optimal access to partner resources for all matters.

For further information, please contact:

Russell Mailler, Chief Strategy Officer (03) 8644 3569 or rmailler@hwle.com.au

Angelique Kear, National Marketing Manager (02) 9334 8541 or akear@hwle.com.au

Subscribe to HWL Ebsworth Publications and Events

HWL Ebsworth regularly publishes articles and newsletters to keep our clients up to date on the latest legal developments and what this means for your business.

To receive these updates via email, please complete the subscription form and indicate which areas of law you would like to receive information on.

Contact us