Approved · Waiver · decided in 21 days, 17 Aug 2026
UnclassifiedWA-20032ACCC register
Nojima Corporation, a Japanese consumer electronics retailer, is acquiring an 80.1% interest in GLS, Inc. This new entity consolidates Hitachi Global Life Solutions' domestic home appliances business and Arçelik Hitachi Home Appliances B.V., which distributes Hitachi-branded appliances in Australia. The transaction is a share acquisition.
Nojima Corporation ( Nojima ) is a Japanese consumer electronics and home appliances retailer. Nojima does not have any retail or wholesale operations in Australia. Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. ( Hitachi GLS ) manufactures and sells home and commercial appliances under the Hitachi brand, primarily in Japan. In 2021, Hitachi GLS and Arçelik A.Ş. ( Arçelik ), a Turkish domestic appliances and consumer electronics manufacturer, set up Arçelik Hitachi Home Appliances B.V. ( AHHA ), a joint venture to manufacture, sell and provide after-sales services of Hitachi-branded home appliances outside of Japan, including Australia. AHHA currently distributes Hitachi-branded refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and vacuum cleaners in Australia. Arçelik currently (that is, pre-Acquisition) holds a majority 60% stake in AHHA and Hitachi GLS holds the remaining 40%. Nojima proposes to acquire the Hitachi-branded home appliances business through the acquisition of an 80.1% interest in GLS, Inc. ( GLS ), a new company that has been established by Hitachi GLS to consolidate its domestic (Japanese) home appliances business and AHHA (the Acquisition ). As part of the Acquisition, Hitachi GLS will acquire Arçelik’s 60% stake in AHHA and will transfer its rights and obligations in respect of that acquisition to GLS. Upon completion of the Acquisition, GLS will become a consolidated company of Nojima. Hitachi GLS will retain a 19.9% interest in GLS.