The Optimus Group, a company listed in Japan with diversified interests across the vehicle retail and supply chain, has reached an agreement to acquire substantial dealer group Autopact.
The agreement will allow for the selldown by the current owners, including controlling shareholder Archer Capital.
Garry Crick will continue as the chairman and a shareholder of Autopact.
“Autopact has been a success story of growth since its inception, growing to become one of Australia’s largest dealership groups,” Autopact chief executive James Welch says.
I’d like to thank the Founders Garry Crick and John Eastham as well as Archer Capital who have been pivotal in the growth of the business over the last eight years. The sale of Autopact is one of the final remaining investments within Archer Capital’s Fund 5.”
“I look forward to welcoming the Optimus Group alongside our Chairman Garry Crick as Autopact continues its growth trajectory.”
Nobuya Yamanaka, president of Optimus Group Co Ltd, commented on their global business model in the automotive sector, saying, “Optimus Group has operations spread across Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, offering a full complement of end-to-end automotive solutions.”
He added, “Our planned acquisition of the Autopact business will provide the opportunity to expand our route to market into Australia in line with the growth ambitions and strategic direction of the group.”
This move signifies Optimus’s concerted effort to enhance its footprint in the Australian market, reflecting its overarching strategy to strengthen its position in the international automotive sector.
With component businesses boasting a 30-year history in the automotive market, Optimus primarily operates in the used vehicle export space.
The company’s two most recognised international brands are Nichibo, specialising in used vehicle export, and JEVIC, a vehicle inspection operation.
Under the leadership of well-known industry identity John Startari, Optimus already maintains a presence in Australia, holding a stake in the OzCar used vehicle operation and vehicle data supplier, Blue Flag. It also offers logistics and used import vehicle services.
Autopact operates 28 dealerships and represents 35 brands in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It services a range of vehicle segments within the Australian automotive industry including volume, premium, luxury, and commercial vehicles.
Optimus states that this acquisition allows them “to accelerate its strategy of growth within the Australian automotive landscape and will position the company to support its OEM partners in expanding, especially with the growth in the EV segment.”
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