Chempro NZ is extending its reach in the chemicals sector, today announcing it has bought DG Logistics (DGL) in Australia.

Chempro is owned by well-known New Zealand businessman Simon Henry.

“We’ve had a long-standing business relationship with DGL and we’re delighted by the agreement to combine our chemical logistics businesses.”

Chempro will gradually assimilate DGL Australia with its New Zealand operation to create a trans-Tasman business reaching from Perth to Christchurch. The combined business will be known as DGL Logistics.

“It will very much be business as usual, with management and staff of both firms remaining in place, and there should be little apparent change to our respective work practices,” Henry said.

Chempro is a specialist chemical packaging, warehousing and logistics company operating from its own plants in Auckland and Wellington.

DGL was formed in 2000, and has warehouse operations based in all states of Australia, catering for general storage, pharmaceutical products, dangerous, hazardous, food grade, specific controlled temperate and general products.

The combined operation will have 20 sites throughout New Zealand and Australia with 100,000 metric tonnes of chemical storage capacity, employing 250 staff and producing annual revenues in excess of $120 million.

Henry has a diverse portfolio of business interests including a commercial and industrial property portfolio and water and waste treatment companies in New Zealand and Australia.

Born and bred in Rangiora, Canterbury, the one-time bee keeper first made the headlines when he began buying property after the infamous 1987 share market crash.