Irish company with Kentucky sales center acquires major Australian workwear business in $8 million deal
Just three years after opening its US distribution centre and sales office in Kentucky, leading Irish safety clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers Portwest Limited has established itself in Australia. Portwest has just acquired Melbourne company Prime Mover Workwear for a sum in excess of $8 million. This is a significant step in Portwest’s strategic geographical expansion across the globe and similar acquisitions in other areas are anticipated. Owned by brothers Cathal, Harry and Owen Hughes, Portwest confidently expect turnover to reach $370 million by 2020, consolidating its position as the fastest growing workwear company in the world.
Portwest currently employs 20 people in Louisville, Kentucky at the sales office opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 2014. At the launch, Mr Steve Beshear then Governor of Kentucky, said: “I can’t think of any better way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day than by welcoming an Irish company to the Commonwealth [of Kentucky], I’m very excited Portwest chose Kentucky as its entry way into the US market. This is yet another great example of the Commonwealth being at the forefront of international commerce.”
Portwest specialises in the design and production of flame-resistant and high-visibility work-wear, rainwear, protective footwear, hand protection and personal protective equipment.