400+ foreign companies generating more than $200m

3M, US: formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company which produces over 75,000 products, including adhesives, abrasives, laminates. 3M has operations in more than 60 countries. Market cap of $US59 billion in Jan 2024.

ABB: Swiss, the engineering giant is a leader in power and automation technologies. Market cap of 66.4 billion Swiss francs in Jan 2024. The Australian head office is in Notting Hill in Melbourne's east.

Abbott Laboratories: US, pharmaceutical and broad-based health care company involved in discovering new medicines, new technologies and new ways to manage health. Like most big pharma companies, the Australian head office is in Sydney, in this case at Macquarie Park.

Accenture: US, global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company with forecast 2018 free cash flow of almost $US5 billion.

Acciona, Spain: renewable energy giant but 2024 market cap was only 6.2b euros.

Accor: France, easily Australia's biggest hotel management company, especially after the $1.2 billion takeover of Mantra in 2018. #

Acer: Taiwan, computer hardware giant which was founded in 1976 and ranks 2nd for total PCs and notebooks globally, although Apple has cut its lunch.

ACS: Spanish, seized control of Hochtief in 2010, the German construction company which had long controlled CIMIC, the old Leighton Holdings, and then moved to 100% control in 2022.

Adani, India: controversial conglomerate controlled by a politically connected billionaire whose business was made famous in Australia by the failed campaign to stop its Carmichael coal mine in Queensland a few years back.

Adaro Energy, Indonesia: is ultimately controlled by billionaires Garbaldi Thohir and Edwin Soeryadjaya. Joined forces with EMR Capital to buy Rio Tinto's Kestrel coking coal mine in Queensland for $2.9 billion in 2018. Adaro owns 48 per cent of Kestrel. See AFR coverage.

Adecco, Swiss: global labour hire and recruitment group which is a prominent member of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce Australia. Market cap 6.1b Swiss francs in January 2024.

Adidas: German, for over 80 years the Adidas Group has been part of the world of sports on every level, delivering state-of-the-art sports footwear, apparel and accessories. 2017 sales were over 20 billion Euros with operating profit of more than 2 billion Euros.

Adobe, US: global software giant incorporated in Delaware and run out of San Jose in California. Market cap was $US279 billion in January 2024 and is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia. Runs its Australian operation from Darling Harbour in Sydney.

AGCO, US: global agricultural machinery company based in Georgia which did $400m-$450m in Australian revenue in 2023-24.

Agile Sports Technologies, US: a global sports technology company primary trading under the name Hudl and disclosed Australian revenues of between $400m-$450m, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Agilent Technologies: US, premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. 2017 revenues of $US4.47 billion and has ticker "A" on New York Stock Exchange.

Agility Logistics: Kuwait, a leading global provider of integrated logistics for business and government. Australian head office is at Melbourne Airport.

Akzo Nobel Group, Netherlands: a global paint giant based in Amsterdam which reported Australian revenues of $300m-$350m in this calendar 2023 modern slavery report to the Federal Government. Mentions Dulux as a portfolio brand, when the Orica spin off Dulux was bought by Nippon Paints a few years back so it must be a regionally licensed paint brand.

AIA, Hong Kong: used to be owned by US giant AIG which was bailed out during the GFC and then floated its AIA division on the Hong Kong stock exchange in 2010. It paid $2.38 billion for CBA's life insurance business in 2019.

AIG: US, insurance giant bailed out by the US government during the GFC but still one of the world's largest insurance companies, including a big operation in Australia with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. First came Down Under in 1957.

Airbus Industrie: European, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial jetliners and military airlifters, with big sales into Australia given the size of Virgin and Qantas. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Air Liquide, France: the hydrogen, industrial gases and medical gases multi-national is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce. Operates in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and Australian HQ is on St Kilda Rd in Melbourne. Market cap was 91b euros in early 2024.

Air New Zealand: New Zealand, has at times controlled Ansett and as much as 25% of Virgin Australia before it went broke during COVID and now just generates direct revenue out of Australia from its annual passenger revenue which exceeds $NZ4 billion in a good year.

Airbnb: US: has taken huge market share off the hotel industry and generated millions for Australian property owners as out-lined in this Domain report.

Albermale: US: global specialty chemical giant listed on the NYSE which spent more than $2 billion building its Kermerton lithium hydroxide plant in south-west WA in 2020-22 and was burnt by all the blowouts and delays.

Alcoa: US, aluminium and bauxite joint venture with Alumina which it mopped up completely in 2024, taking its own secondary listing on the ASX.

Aldi: German, continuing to build a simple low cost rival supermarket format to Coles and Woolworths.

AL-KO International: Germany, engineering and technology company specialising in vehicles and garden products. Major Australian plant is in Melbourne.

Allianz: German, insurance giant that picked up the HIH retail assets and in early 2020 was worth 90b Euros plus donated circa 150k to Australia's major political parties in 2018-19.

Alphabet, US, the largest search engine and one of the largest internet companies through brands such as Google and Youtube.

Alstom: France, is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce. Operates worldwide in rail transport markets including signaling and locomotives, producing high-speed, suburban, regional and urban trains along with trams. Declared Australian revenues of more than $1 billion in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Altria: US, rebranded tobacco giant Philip Morris which was spun off in March 2008.

Amazon: US, world's biggest online retailer and also market leader in web hosting through AWS. Built a huge warehouse in Dandenong.

American Express: US, provides merchant card transaction acquiring facilities and arranges insurance services issued by various third parties. Market cap was $US188b in April 2025.

Amgen: US, bio-tech and gene company with January 2024 market capitalisation of $US160 billion and global revenues exceeding $US20 billion, more than $200 million of which comes from Australia where its operation is run from the Sydney CBD.

Anglo America: UK/South African, bought Acacia and Shell coal assets plus other Australian operations worth more than $10 billion in total. Generated free cash flow of $US4.9 billion in 2017 and in 2024 had a market cap of 24 billion pounds.

AngloGoldAshanti: South Africa, one of the world's major gold miners with Australian operators focused on Sunrise Dam and Tropicana.

Aon: US, is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human capital consulting. Had a market cap of $US64 billion in August 2023.

Apple: US, consistently one of the world's top 3 most valuable company courtesy of its computers, ipods, ipads, iphones, watches and the various apps sold through its online store.

ArcelorMittal: Luxembourg, is the world's biggest steel company, with operations in more than 60 countries and annual revenues exceeding $US50 billion.

Archer Daniels Midland, US: Along with Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus is one of the four "ABCD" companies that dominate world agricultural commodity trading. Has offices in most Australian capitals.

Arkema: France, vinyl products, industrial chemicals and performance products. Originally spun out of French oil major Total in 2006. Had a market cap of 7.3b euros in August 2023.

Asahi: Japan, originally bought 20% of Foster's from John Ellliott in the early 1990s. Went on to buy the Schweppes Australian business after paying $1.2 billion in 2008, plus bought CUB for more than $15 billion in 2019 so now one of the biggest foreign investors in Australia.

Asics, Japan: nothing to do with our corporate regulator. A Kobe-based multinational which is big in textiles, particularly sporting shoes.

Aspen Group: South Africa, pharmaceutical company and Africa's largest which in 2010 agreed to pay $900 million cash for Sigma's pharmaceuticals division. Now has revenues of around $650 million per year in Australia and NZ.

AstraZeneca: UK, discover, develop, manufacture and market prescription medicines globally. Used to be part of the old ICI and had a January 2024 market capitalisation of 161 billion pounds. Australian head office is in the Sydney suburb of Macquarie Park and is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Atco, Canada: in July 2011 it paid $1.1 billion to the WA government for the state's monopoly gas utility. Also owns power stations in Brisbane, Adelaide and Karratha and is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

AT&T: US, the world's largest telco, based in Texas, has built a solid Australian business. Bought Time Warner in recent years.

Authentic Brands Group, US: bought Billabong and Quiksilver for $1.88 billion in 2023.

Avis-Budget Group, US: global car rental giant which generated $600m-700m of revenue from its Australian operation in 2023-24.

Babcock International, UK: London-based defence contractor to the west with a big history which generated $450-$500m of Australian revenue in 2023-24, according to this excellent modern slavery report filed with the Federal Government.

BAIC: China, the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation owns the Foton brand and has done well with its Tunland dual-cab pick-up, along with Aumark light and medium duty trucks.

Baillie Gifford, UK: headquartered in Edinburgh and owned by 57 partners. The global investment, insurance and real estate firm claimed to have Australian revenues of $800m-$900m in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement to the Federal Government.

Bain & Company, US: one of the 5 largest foreign private equity firms in the Australian market with its biggest recent plays being Virgin Australia and Estia Health. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Baosteel Group Corporation: China, is one of the biggest Chinese steel enterprises in the world including 20 overseas and domestic trading companies.

Bank of America: US, didn't have a huge presence in Australia but then bought Merrill Lynch during the GFC.

Bank of China: China, the largest Chinese bank has as big Australian operation and is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Banpu: Thailand, the first Thai company to crack this list after buying Centennial Coal for $2.5 billion in 2010. #

Barrick Gold: Canada, gold giant which acquired rival Placer Dome in 2006 giving it a major Australian presence including in Kalgoorlie. Market cap was $US27.3b in January 2024.

BASF: German, world's biggest chemical company which had global sales in 2017 of 64.5 billion Euros. Australian operation is run out of Freshwater Place at Southbank, reflecting Melbourne's historic strength in the chemical industry.

Baxter Healthcare: US, is a global healthcare company applying its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Market cap was $US19.7b in January 2024.

Bayer: Germany, a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Feb 2020 market capitalisation of $US83 billion.

BAT: UK, are part of the world's most international tobacco group with brands sold in more than 180 markets. Jan 2024 market capitalisation of 50.5b pounds.

Bechtel: US, one of the world's biggest and longest running family companies and a global giant in engineering, construction, and project management. Leigh Clifford sat on the Australian board, which is a big business as he explained in his 2018 chairman interview.

Beijing Energy International: China, In December 2023 it agreed to pay $813 million to buy the Australian renewable assets of Lightsource BP, a European-owned developer. The Chinese firm said at the time that the acquisition meant its Australian assets would exceed 2 gigawatts, in a portfolio worth more than $3 billion, “marking a new era of its investment and business in Australia”, according to The AFR.

Berkshire Hathaway: US, huge investments, some wholly owned insurance operations, plus a direct investment in IAG.

Bertelsmann: German multi-national controlled by the Mohn family which owns the worlds biggest book publisher, Penguin Random House, amongst many other assets.

Besix Watpac: the Belgian construction giant BESIX bought ASX listed Watpac in 2018-19 at a time when it was generating more than $1 billion a year in revenue and they have gone on to win many major constructions projects since.

Bet365, UK: privately owned UK gambling company which is licensed in the Northern Territory and wins more than $500 million a year off Australian digital gamblers. A prominent sponsor of Cricket Australia.

Bidvest: South Africa: founded by entrepreneur Brian Joffe and has a big Australian food distribution business which turns over more than $1 billion a year. Paid out $500 million reportedly buying two cleaning businesses in recent years.

Bindaroo Beef Group: China, meat exporter with revenues of more than $500 million a year. Now 51% owned by a Hong Kong family. See 2017 press release.

Blackfriars Corp, US: headquartered in Illinois and controlled by the secretive Colburn family, which are big backers of the Republican Party. They bought plumbing and bathroom supplies company Tradelink off Fletcher Building for $170m in 2024.

Blackrock: US: the world's biggest fund manager with close to $US10 trillion under management. Pops up as a substantial shareholder in dozens of ASX listed companies and recently made a big push into infrastructure, challenging Macquarie's market leading position.

Blackstone: US, listed private equity giant with large investments in Australia including a $6 billion property portfolio and 100% of Crown Resorts after a 2022 takeover. In 2024, it paid more than $21 billion for the Airtrunk data centres business.

Block Inc: US payments company founded by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey which used to be called Square and also bought Afterpay in 2021, handing over 19% of its shares for the business.

BMW: German, luxury car industry.

BNP Paribas: France, global bank with 500 people in Australasia and a Feb 2020 market capitalisation of $US68 billion. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Boeing: US, is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US191 billion but then smashed by COVID-19. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Bosch: German, electrical and car parts, including old listed Pacifica business which has struggled.

Bouygues Construction: France, a global engineering and construction giant which has worked on projects including the M4-M5 tunnel, WestConnex and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

BP: UK, is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies with large stakes in the North West Shelf and a large petrol distribution business which failed in an attempt to buy the Woolworths petrol division and then sold a 49% slice of its Australian petrol stations chain to Charter Hall for $840 million in December 2019. Late 2022 market capitalisation was 84 billion pounds. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Bridgestone: Japan, global tyre manufacturer that also has products ranging from golf equipment to construction materials. Owned by the Ishibashi family and generated more than $700m in Australian revenue in 2023-24.

Bridor: France, global bakery giant founded in 1988 by Louis Le Duff and based in Brittany, France – agreed terms to acquire Australia's Laurent Bakery in December 2024 at a price which The AFR reported valued the business at $650m and delivered a 3 bagger for Melbourne-based private equity firm BGH in less than four years.

Bright Horizons, US: the listed childcare giant paid $450 million in 2022 ($300m up front and a further $150m based on performance over 18 months) for the Only About Children childcare business which was founded by Rich Lister Brendan McAssey in Sydney in 2002 and then sold to Bain Capital when it had 24 sites in 2016 for a reported $400 million. When Bright Horizons entered the Australian market in 2022 Only About Children had 75 centres and revenues of around $200 million.

Bristol Myers Squibb: US, bio-pharmaceuticals and research company with a market capitalisation of $US102 billion in January 2024.

Brookfield Asset Management: Canada, paid a hefty $7 billion for Multiplex but kept coming back for more when it bought the old Babcock & Brown Infrastructure. Also spent a ridiculous $18 billion on Victorian focused power utility Ausnet in early 2022 so it is now a top 10 foreign investor in Australia, particularly after it bought Oaktree and the French renewables companies Neoen, which triggered an ACCC divestment order.

Brother, Japan: private company best known for its printers which disclosed Australian revenues of almost $250m in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

BUMA (PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama), Indonesia: a large mining services provider in Indonesia which bought Downer's mining services business in 2021 and bid for BHP's Queensland coal operations in 2023.

Bunge Global, US-Swiss, along with Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus is one of the four "ABCD" companies that dominate world agricultural commodity trading.

Bunzl, UK: generates revenues of more than $500 million a year in Australia with a focus on distribution in markets such as cleaning, facility supplies and healthcare products.

BUPA: UK, not for profit health insurer that purchased old National Mutual health business and then doubled up by buying MBF.

Burberry, UK: the listed British luxury brand reported $1b+ in Australian revenues in this flash 18 page 2023-24 modern slavery filing.

Campbell Soup: US, sold Arnotts to KKR in 2019 but still generating plenty in Australia from residual FMCG food business. Global headquarters is in New Jersey.

Canadian Pension Plan, Canada: the government owned entity has multiple infrastructure investments in Australia but also paid $724 million in a 2020 takeover of Tasmanian agri-business company Websters.

Canon: Japan, global photo and office equipment company with market capitalisation of almost $US50 billion in April 2018.

Capital Group: US, this LA-based funds management has grown into a giant since 1931 and has large stakes in many Australian listed companies.

Cargill: US, is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services which bought the old commodities management business of AWB.

Caseware International, Canada: the Toronto-based global provider of software, data and systems for financial reporting and business information has Australian revenues of between $250 and $300 million, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Caterpillar: US, world's biggest heavy machinery manufacturer with annual sales exceeding $3 billion in Australia. Feb 2020 market capitalisation of $US76 billion.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong: the airline is a hybrid UK/China entity through the Swire family from Liverpool and Air China which now owns 30%. Flies regularly into multiple Australian cities from Hong Kong.

CED: US, bought cable company Metal Manufactures and so big in electrical products that the ACCC is now vetting its bolt-on acquisitions in Australia such as this 2016 deal. #

Cellmark, Sweden: claimed to have $1b+ in Australian revenues in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement. Is focused on pulp, paper, plastics, chemicals and recycling globally. Is privately owned. Check out the main board.

Chevron: US, is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies.

Chemcor: US, the world's largest information provider for the chemical and oil industry.

China Baowu Steel Group Corporation: China, created after the 2016 merger of Baosteel with Wuhan Iron and Steel in November 2016. One of the world's biggest steel groups but Baosteel suffered badly with disastrous $1.4 billion takeover of Aquila Resources in 2014.

China Communications Construction, China: majority state-owned but publicly listed construction giant which bought John Holland from the old Leighton in 2015.

China Iron and Steel: China, owns 40% of the coastal Pilbara iron-ore mine Channar which produces 10 million tonnes a year.

China Light & Power: Hong Kong, owns TruEnergy which spent up big buying NSW power assets. See entries on power sector list.

China Merchants Group: Hong Kong, state-owned shipping and logistics conglomerate which owns the Loscam pallets business that operates in competition with the Brambles CHEP division across Australia.

China Petrochemical Corporation: China, China's biggest energy distributor secured 60% control of the Puffin oil field in the Timor Sea.

China Ruyi; China, the streaming and productions investment group bought a 51% controlling stake in cinema outfit Hoyts in early 2024 from another Chinese operator. See AFR coverage.

Chinalco: China, ploughed almost $20 billion into 9% of Rio Tinto and also controls the Hong Kong-listed Chalco which developed a $3 billion bauxite mine in far-north Queensland.

Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, Hong Kong: controlled by the Cheng family, it bought Alinta's grab bag of energy assets for more than $4 billion in 2017. Has also owned as much as 10% of Star Entertainment and is a 25% joint venture partner for its enormous Brisbane casino project. See entry on power sector list.

Cisco Systems: US, the worldwide leader in networking and IT systems. Feb 2020 market capitalisation of $US205 billion. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

CITIC: China, has a minority stake in the Portland aluminium smelter, large beef interests and also once controlled 20% of Macarthur Coal before selling out.

Citi: US, a leading global financial services company with approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

CNOOC: China, government-owned gas company that has 25% of China Gas component of the North West Shelf.

Coca Cola Company: US, used to directly own 30% of ASX listed Coca Cola Amatil, Australia's biggest beverages company, which was taken over for $7.8 billion by its European cousin Coca Cola Enterprises in 2019.

Cofco Sugar, China: one of the largest sugar companies in China which bought Tully Sugar in northern Queensland. Disclosed revenues of between $250 and $300 million, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Comcast: US, telecommunications and pay-TV giant which also owns NBCUniversal. Feb 2020 market capitalisation of $US203 billion.

CompAir Australasia: UK, specialising in compressed air equipment and solutions.

Compass group: US, catering giant employing more than 10,000 Australians. Market cap was 34.6 billion pounds in August 2023.

Conoco-Phillips: US, Houston-based energy giant which owns 56.72% of the giant Bayu-Undan gas field and Darwin LNG plant.

Constellation Brands: US, bought wine company BRL Hardy which has performed poorly like most wine operations globally. Also owns a big beer business.

Cooke Inc, Canada: the world's largest family owned sea food company which paid $1.1 billon for Tasmanian-based salmon giant Tassal in 2021.

Corelogic: US, Californian property data company which completed takeover of RP Data in 2011, valuing the company at about $300 million. #

Co-Star, US: properly giant which has agreed to buy Domain off Nine Entertainment for $2.8 billion and is expected to compete vigorously with REA.


Costco: US: the big barn retailer is now up to more than 15 Australian stores and these reportedly generated $3.7 billion of sales in 2021-22.

Corning: US, a global leader in telecommunications products and services with 2022 sales of $US14 billion and 58,000 staff. Market cap was $US25.7b in January 2024.

CRH, Ireland: teamed up with controlling shareholder Barro Group to lodge a $3.20 a share bid for Adbri Group which closed in 2024, giving it a big slice of the Australian cement market.

Crown Equipment, US: global equipment hire company run out of Ohio which has been in Australia since 1966 and now has 982 employees run from its Smithfield head office in Sydney and annual revenues of $350-$400m, according to its 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

CSC, US: the IT services giant bought Davnet/UXC for $428 million in 2016 and had a market cap of $US5.8 billion in 2023. The 144 page scheme book for the UXC bid disclosed that it went into the bid with 2,124 Australian staff and $724m of annual revenues and UXC was turning over $686m at the time so it created a local IT giant.

Canada Steamship Line (CSL Group), Canada: a private Canadian-based shipping company run out of Montreal and owned by former politician Paul Martin, as is explained in this Wikipedia entry. It has 1,500 employees worldwide, both onboard ships and ashore. It now claims to be the "world's largest owner and operator of self-unloading vessels, carrying cargoes such as iron ore, coal, aggregates, grain, salt and sugar" and its 2023-24 modern slavery report listed its Australian revenues as being in the $200m-$250m range.

Daewoo, Korea: global car manufacturer.

Dai-ichi, Japan: the financial services giant paid $1.2 billion for Tower Australia in early 2011.

Daimler-Benz: German, is one of the world's most successful automotive companies with divisions including Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Trucks.

Datatec Group, South Africa: its business systems subsidiary Westcon-Comstor reported Australian revenues of $600m-$700m in its 2023-24 modern slavery statement to the Federal Government. The IT and telecommunications company is listed in South Africa and had a market cap of around $1 billion in early 2025.

Dell Computers: US, established in 1986, are pioneers in the computer industry but suffered at the hands of Apple and the Ipad.

Deutsche Bank: Germany, one of the Big Six global investment banks and the biggest bank in Germany. Usually rates in the 100 most valuable companies globally but January 2024 market capitalisation was down to 24 billion euros.

Deutsche Bahn, Germany: the German rail operator owns DB Schenker which is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia and has a big Australian business focused on logistics along with air, land and sea freight. This 2017 press release references the Australian operation having 1100 staff and opening in 1962, It has 3 warehouses in Melbourne alone.

Deutsche Boerse Group, Germany: in 2015, the German equivalent of the ASX bought 360T, another German company which supplies trading systems to financial markets and declared Australian revenues of between $200m and $250m in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement to the Federal Government. It also owns proxy adviser ISS as can see in its separate Australian modern slavery report claiming 2023-24 revenues of almost $1b a year.

DHL: German, the world's largest logistics specialist which is owned by the Deutsche Post group and reported Australian revenues above $1 billion in 2023-24.

Diageo: UK, the world's leading premium drinks business established in 180 markets globally. Annual profits running at more than $6 billion.

Disney: US, the most successful old media business and now bigger in Australia thanks to Disney+ streaming service. Reported 2023-24 Australian revenues of $800m-$900m to the Federal Government's modern slavery register. The Murdoch family collectively own more than $5 billion worth of Disney shares.

Dollarama, Canada: has agreed to buy The Reject Shop for $6.68 per share, which values the equity at $259 million. The company first floated on June 1, 2004.
Dow Chemical Company, US: after the giants Dow Chemical and Du Pont merged in 2015 it re-organised into 3 companies with Dow Chemical hosting the material sciences division. Had a market cap of $US36.7b in January 2024.

Dubai World: UAE, bought P&O's stevedoring, ports, cold storage and resorts but in 2011 sold 75% of the ports business.


DuPont de Nemours, US: demerged out the combined Dow Chemical and Du Pont businesses and had a market cap of $US31.5 billion in January 2024.

DXC Technology: US, the IT consulting and out-sourcing firm associated with Ross Perot which has enjoyed several large Australian contracts, the biggest of which was with the Commonwealth Bank. Created by the 2017 merger of CSC and the enterprise services business of Hewlett Packard. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Ebay: US, world's biggest online auction site which does well in Australia. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US38 billion ($US30 billion Feb 2020).

EBOS: NZ, listed in New Zealand and is the largest and most diversified Australasian marketer, wholesaler and distributor of healthcare, medical and pharmaceutical products.

Ecolab, US: Minnesota-based giant in herbicides, cleaning chemicals, detergents and the like which reported Australian revenues of $500m-$600m in its 2023-24 modern slavery statement.

Einhell/Ozito, Germany: global tools manufacturer which has 120 Australian employees and generates revenues of $300-$350m a year, largely through Bunnings, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery filing with the Federal Government.

Electrolux: Swedish, is one of the world's leading international appliance companies.

Eli Lilly: US, pharmaceuticals, founded in 1876 and is now one of the 5 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world with a January 2024 market capitalisation of $US571 billion.

Emirates: United Arab Emirates, flies direct to Australia and derives large Australian revenues from its successful code-share arrangement with Qantas. Its flight catering subsidiary dnata reported more than $800m of Australian revenues in 2023-24, according to this modern slavery filing with the Federal Government.

ENI: Italian, owns 12% of the giant Bayu-Undan gas field and Darwin LNG plant.

Entain: UK, online gambling company which owns Ladbrokes, one of the major foreign bookmakers operating in Australia. Also bought Neds in 2019. Market cap $17 billion in August 2023.

Epiroc AB, Swedish: a global listed Stockholm-based giant in the mining and construction equipment space which generated more than $1 billion from its Australian operations in 2023-24, according to this modern slavery report.

Ericsson: Swedish, is a world-leading provider of telecommunications equipment and related services to mobile and fixed network operators globally. After 130 years, still has a big Australian operation.

Equifax, US: VEDA Group was floated by private equity firm PEP in an IPO priced at $1.25 which raised $341 million and then US giant Equifax bought Australia's biggest credit agency business for $2.5 billion in 2016 after agreeing to pay $2.825 a share, so a good result for public investors. Last reported annual revenue was $338 million in 2014-15.

Equinix, US: founded in Silicon Valley in 1998, it has become the world's biggest specialist data centre owner with 15 facilities across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane after it paid over $1 billion in 2017 for Metronode, which owned 10 Australian centres at the time.

Essity: Swedish consumer goods company which took over ASX listed Asaleo Care in a much criticised $684 million deal in 2021.

Etihad: United Arab Emirates, global airline powerhouse which flies direct to Australia and also used to own around 20% of Virgin Australia before it collapsed. #

Exide: US, bought Pacific Dunlop's old battery business in 2000. See full history of Australian operations.

Expedia: US, travel giant which bought Wotif for $703 million in 2014. #

Exxon-Mobil: US, the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas company with 50% of Bass Strait and many other assets, although the petrol distribution was sold in 2010 after Coles and Woolies destroyed everybody's margins. Used to be world's most valuable company but now swamped by tech majors. Took over ASX listed Ampol Exploration in 1996 after offering $4.25 a share or $US935 million.

Fedex: US, owns the global TNT business which started in Australian before being taken over by Dutch firm KPN in 1996.

Ferrovial: Spanish, services and construction giant which bought Transfield. #

Fiserv, US: the Wisconsin based company had a market of $US82 billion in January 2024. It took over First Data Resources in 2019 which in turn had earlier paid $300 million for Australia's Cashcard ATM provider.

Fisher & Paykel: NZ, designs, manufactures and markets a range of innovative household appliances but has in recent years focused more on the health sector.

Fletcher Building: NZ, a big player in the building products space which is run out of Auckland and has hit tough times lately. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Flutter Entertainment: Ireland: world's biggest online gambling company which owns Sportsbet, Beteasy, Betfair and a range of other online gambling brands after the merger of Canada's The Stars Group and Ireland Paddy Power Betfair in 2020. Market cap $51.5 billion in August 2023.

Fonterra: New Zealand, the world's leading exporter of dairy products and responsible for more than a quarter of international dairy trade. Bought the old Bonlac assets in Victoria. Recently ditched its ASX listing.

Ford: US, declining car manufacturer.

Foresight Group, UK: energy infrastructure manager which reported Australian revenues of between $250 and $300 million, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Fortinet: US, California-based global cyber security giant with 13,000 staff which has been submitting to Australia's modern slavery reporting regime which has a minimum revenue requirement of $100 million. See 3 page 2023-24 return. The Australian head office is in Sydney but it also has a Collins St address in Melbourne.

Fortis: Belgian, financial services group which bought ABN Amro's global funds management business.

Frasers: Singapore, paid $2.6 billion for ASX-listed developer Australand in 2014. #

Fresenius Medical Care, Germany: purchased a 70 per cent stake in Cura Group in 2017 for a reported $400m. Cura Group is the largest day hospital owner across Australia, with 19 assets which reportedly generate EBITDA of $42 million. The business was up for sale in 2023.

Fuchs Lubricants: Germany, world's largest independent supplier of industrial and specialty lubricants.

Fuji: Japanese, the world's largest photographic and imaging company.

Fujitsu: Japanese, the world's 6th biggest IT provider and the biggest in Japan. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

GDFSuez: France, enormous utility which trades under the name Engie in Australia and controversially shut Victoria's Hazelwood power station in 2017 and then sold Loy Yang B in 2018.

Geely Auto, China: one of the most successful Chinese car companies in Australia, as is explained by Carsguide.

General Electric: US, a global infrastructure, finance, machinery and media company which has declined in recent years.

General Motors: US, one of the world's largest auto manufacturers, founded in 1908, but ditched the Holden brand in Australia after also ending manufacturing during the Abbott prime ministership.

GFG Alliance: UK/India, bought most of the old Arrium business from the administrators in 2017. Is controlled by British-born Indian billionaire Sanjeev Gupta but the Whyalla steel works went broke in early 2025.

Glaxo-Smithkline: UK, one of the industry leaders, with an estimated 7% of the world's pharmaceutical market. Is the most valuable UK drugs company with April 2018 market capitalisation of 70 billion pounds ($86 billion pounds Feb 2020).

Glencore: Swiss, giant commodities trading and mining house which controls Xstrata and is now Australia's biggest coal miner after Rio Tinto exited the industry.

Glen Dimplex Group, Ireland: a global operator with two manufacturing sites in Scoresby in Melbourne and Cavan in South Australia for its gas and wood-fired heaters business plus imports and distributes a range of other appliances such as fridges, dishwashers, toasters, kettles and the like. Has been submitting to Australia's modern slavery reporting regime which has a minimum revenue requirement of $100 million. See 4 page report for 2023-2024.

Golden Energy and Resources: Indonesia, owns 75.33% of the ASX listed coal miner Stanmore Resources which in 2021 agreed to pay BHP $US1.2 billion for two Queensland coal mines.

Goldman Sachs: US, bought JB Were minorities out in 2010 and has a strong Australian business, which at one point was run by Malcolm Turnbull.

Goodyear: US, one of the world's largest tyre companies.

Grand Hotel Group: Malaysian, owns a range of quality hotels in prime locations throughout Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

Great Wall Motors: China, has grown quickly to become the largest Chinese player in the Australian auto market with more than 25,000 vehicles sold in 2023.

Greenland Group: China, entered the Australian property market in 2013 and has quickly become one of Australia's biggest residential developers, with a focus on Sydney.

Griffon Corporation: US, New York based listed company which owns the AMES business in Australia which is a major supplier to Bunnings with brands like Nylex, Cyclone, Northcote Pottery, Hills, Westmix, Supercraft and Kelso. The Australian business is run out of Doncaster in the City of Manningham.

Group BPCE: France: global French bank which partially trades under the Natixis brand which is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Hagermeyer: Dutch, Bought Pacific Dunlop's electrical distribution business. #

HanesBrands: US, giant clothing and textiles company which paid $1.1 billion for Pacific Brands in 2017. #

Heidelberg: German, giant building materials company which bought Hanson so controls the old Pioneer Concrete. Is in a joint venture called Cement Australia with Holcim and paid almost $800m for much of the WA-focused BGC portfolio of building products companies in 2025. #

Heineken: Dutch, world's second biggest beer company.

Heinz: US, the most global of all American food companies.

Henry Schein Inc, US: the listed S&P500 company reported Australian pharmaceutical and healthcare revenues of $450-$500m in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Hertz, US: the Florida-based car rental giant emerged from bankruptcy protection after the COVID pandemic and remains listed on US markets and operating in Australia despite some large losses flowing in 2024 from its mishandling of the EV market.

Hewlett Packard: US, a technology company that operates in more than 170 countries around the world and was founded in 1939.

Hilton Corp: US, a leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries.

Hino Motors, Japan: listed Japanese truck manufacturer which reported Australian revenues of more than $500m in 2023-24.

Hitachi, Japan: train systems, power tools and mining equipment are some activities undertaken by this huge conglomerate. Paid $976 million for ASX-listed Bradken in 2017. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia. See this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged by one of its divisions.

Hoechst: German, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies established in more than 100 countries.

Holcim: Swiss, big global cement player which owns 30% of Cement Australia and paid $2 billion for the Australian assets of Cemex after it paid $16.5 billion for Rinker. Cement Australia paid almost $800m for much of the WA-focused BGC portfolio of building products companies in 2025. ##

HomeAway: US, paid $212 million for the Fairfax travel website Stayz in 2013 and competes with Expedia and AirBNB. #

Honda Motor: Japanese, car manufacturer with April 2018 market capitalisation of $US62 billion ($US47 billion Feb 2020).

Hospira: US, pharmaceutical company spun out of Abbott which paid $2.6 billion for Mayne Pharma (the old FH Faulding) in 2006. #

HSBC: UK and Hong Kong, global banking and broking giant with a big Australian operation. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group: China, steel manufacturer which is second largest shareholder in Fortescue Metals, although no longer represented on the board. #

Hutchison: Hong Kong, telecommunications, ports and power giant which is controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing and bought the SA power industry giant ETSA, Victoria's Powercor and later paid $7.4 billion to take over listed DUET. Also big in ports, until a Trump-pressured sale in early 2025, and controls listed Hutchison Telecommunications, which has now merged with TPG in Australia.

Hyundai-Kia: South Korea, top performing and quickly growing global auto manufacturer.

Iberdrola: Spain, wind energy giant which paid $841 million for Infigen Energy, the old Babcock & Brown Wind, in 2020.

IBM: US, one of the world's most influential technology companies with Australian revenues topping $4 billion.

Idemitsu, Japan: one of the world's biggest privately owned energy companies and owns 85% of the Ensham thermal coal mine in Queensland which produces more than 7 million tonnes a year.

IHI Corporation, Japan: established in 1853, listed in Japan and generates $1 billion+ a year in revenue from its Australian operation via a diverse range of machinery and heavy equipment servicing sectors such as defence, offshore production facilities, chemical plants and mining.

Infratil, NZ: a major infrastructure investor which is dual listed in Australia but run out of Auckland and manages almost $10 billion in assets including the Retire Australia business.

ING Bank, Netherlands: the biggest Dutch bank since the fall of ABN Amro and has long been an aggressive competitor in Australia for cash deposits. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Ingram Micro: US, in June 2003 CVC bought a 58.5% stake in Australia's largest IT and technology distributor from Hagemeyer in a deal that valued the whole business at $US345 million. The following year US giant Ingram Micro paid $A700 million for the whole business, as CVC more than tripled its equity investment.

Intermediate Capital Group, UK: an alternative asset investment manager with about $150b under management globally which disclosed $1 billion+ in Australian revenues in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement to the Federal Government.

International Games Technologies (IGT), US: one of the 5 biggest pokies manufacturers in the Australian market. Is a senior member of the Gaming Technologies Association which lobbies for the Australian pokies industry and delivers major trade shows. Operates out of Sydney and global HQ is in Nevada.

International Hotels Group: UK, world's second biggest hotels player after Accor with brands such as Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza.

Intel: US, the largest computer chip manufacturer.

Infosys: India, defines, designs and delivers technology-enabled business solutions and generated Australian revenues of almost $900m in 2023-24. Prominent sponsor of the Australian Open and a member of the Business Council of Australia.

Investec: South Africa, specialist banking group that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia.

Iron Mountain: US, paid $3.4 billion for Recall in 2016 after the records management company was spun off by Brambles. #

ISS: Denmark, one of the world's biggest cleaning and facilities management operators with 400,000 staff and bought the ASX listed Tempo Services in 2006 to turbo-charge its Australian business.

Itochu Minerals: Japanese, mining, energy and engineering. The AFR reported that it paid $845 million in dividends back to its Tokyo head office in 2022.

Jacobs Douwe Egberts: US, world's largest coffee company after a 2015 merger deal between the old Sara Lee Corp and Mondelez, which was part of the old Kraft-Cadbury combination.

Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), Japanese: owned by the Japanese government and supports Japanese companies with export and development loans around the world. Claims to have Australian revenue above $1 billion a year in this 2023-24 modern slavery submission to the Federal Government.

Japan Coal Development Co, Japan: established in 1980 by the ten major electric power companies which together supplied nearly all of Japan's electric power. Lodged its first modern slavery statement with the Federal Government in 2023-24, detailing the minority stakes it has in a range of NSW and Queensland coal mines which it said generated more than $200m of revenue, even though it only has 4 employees in Australia.

Japan Food Company (JPC), Japan: a global food supplier which reported Australian revenues of $250-300m in 2023-24. Head office is in Sydney.

JBS: Brazil, the world's biggest meat processor which has invested hundreds of millions into Australia, including the proposed $550 million purchase of Tasmanian salmon giant Huon Aquaculture. Also owns Primo small goods and is spent $175 million buying the Rivalea Australia pork business. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Johnson & Johnson: US, health products such as bandages, sterile products, founded more than 120 years ago. One of the 10 most valuable companies in the world with an April 2018 market capitalisation of $US344 billion ($US405 billion Feb 2020).

JP Morgan: US, one of the world's leading investment banks with a strong Australian operation.

J-Power: Japan, large energy utility which owns small stakes in several Australian coal mines such as Ensham.

Juniper Networks: USA, Californian-based IT company which is big on cyber security and was founded in 1995 but now has global revenues of more than $6 billion.

Kansai Electric Power: Japan, The AFR reported that it more than quintupled the size of its full-year dividend to $168 million in 2022, thanks to profits on its main exposure to Australian resources is through the Pluto and Ichthys LNG s projects in WA and the NT Territory respectively.

KB Food International, China: a global seafood company which has a big operation based in Perth after buying the Kailis Bros seafood operation in 2026. Has grown strongly and reported Australian revenues of $450-$500m in its 2023 modern slavery statement. The statement claimed it was privately owned out of Singapore but KB's ultimate parent company is China-based and Hong Kong listed Legend Holdings, a conglomerate which also owns computer brand Lenovo.

Kelloggs: US, two brothers ‘accidentally' discovered a brand new breakfast cereal in the late 19th Century which has developed into an industry leader with a large Australian market share.

Keolis: French, transport giant which previously ran Melbourne's tram network in a joint venture with Downer EDI, but Keolis Downer still claims to have 3000 staff running transports networks across the rest of Australia.

Kilcoy Global Foods, China: Chinese billionaire Liu Yonghao, through his New Hope Group, along with Beijing-based Hosen Capital, bought the growing Australian meat processing business in 2013 and has been investing heavily ever since, the latest being a $24 million expansion of its Bass Coast facility near Philip Island which was approved in July 2024.

Kirin: Japan, controls Lion Nathan brewing giant and used to own the old National Foods business before selling its diary business to Bega in late 2020. Also bought Blackmores in 2023.

KKR: US, legendary buy out firm bought Cleanaway from Brambles before on-selling and also joint ventured into Channel Seven with Kerry Stokes amidst dozens of deals over the years. Also moved into Australia's pubs and pokies sector after buying Dixon business and the Coles pokies operation, plus privatised Spark Infrastructure in 2017.

Komatsu, Japan: a genuine multi-national and the second largest global supplier of mining equipment after Caterpillar so naturally has a big Australian operation which generates about $500m a year in revenue. Is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia. Australian head office is in North Ryde.

Konami Group, Japan: one of the 5 biggest pokies manufacturers in the Australian market and also distributes video games and a range of other entertainment products. Is a senior member of the Gaming Technologies Association which lobbies for the Australian pokies industry and delivers major trade shows. Operates a manufacturing facility out of its head office in Botany.

Konica Minolta, Japan: generated $226m in Australia in 2023-24 according to this excellent modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government. Listed on the Tokyo stock exchange and sells everything from 3D printers to robotic devices. Australian head quarters is at Macquarie Park in Sydney.

Korn Ferry, US: one of the 5 global recruitment firms which is listed in the US and has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Has been submitting to Australia's modern slavery reporting regime which has a minimum revenue requirement of $100 million. See 6 page 2023-24 return.

Kwok brothers: Singapore/HK, property, Shangri La, Wilson car park business and controversial Wilson security business.

Kyndryl, US: listed on the NYSE and bills itself as the world's largest IT infrastructure supplier in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government which disclosed Australian revenues of almost $500m a year.

Kyocera Mita, Japan: printers, photocopiers and digital cameras.

Lactalis Group/Lemnos Foods, France: a third-generation, French family-owned business (Besnier family) and one of the world's largest fresh dairy companies with over 270 production sites and 85,500 employees across more than 50 countries. Claimed Australian revenues of more than $1 billion in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement.

Laing O'Rourke: UK, construction firm that bought Barclay Mowlem and has just won a major contract to widen the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne as part of the North East Link project.

L'Aire Liquide: French, Industrial Gas giant which controls 15 per cent of Australia's $1 billion a year market for industrial gasses.

Lafarge: Swiss, cement/Blue Circle, a world leader in building materials.

Laminex Group: New Zealand, a leading marketer, distributor and manufacturer of laminex products.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India: multinational conglomerate, with interests in industrial technology, heavy industry, engineering, construction, manufacturing, power, information technology, military and financial services. It is headquartered in Mumbai and reported more than $1b in Australian revenues in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government, plus another entity LTIMindtree also separately reported $1b plus in Australian revenues. L&T was founded in 1938 in Bombay by Danish engineers Henning Holck-Larsen and Søren Kristian Toubro.

Lenovo: China, world's largest PC manufacturer and a huge operator across the computer supply chain.

Liebherr: Swiss, one of the world's biggest construction equipment manufacturers and still controlled by its founding Swiss Liebherr family. Entered Australia in 1981 and runs the division out of Adelaide, generating Australian revenues of more than $1 billion a year, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery filing with the Federal Government.

Light & Wonder, US: the rebranded Signature Games has hired a bunch of ex Aristocrat people to push hard and successfully into the Australian pokies market but remains a US listed foreign company.

Lightspeed, Canada: provides commerce platforms to merchants and customers and declared Australian revenues of more than $1 billion in this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Linde Group, UK: originally a German gas giant which took over its British rival BOC in 2006 which had earlier bought CIG (Commonwealth Industrial Gases) and then merged with Praxair in 2019 to become Linde PLC. Has a big Australian business headquartered in North Ryde.

Linpac Group: UK, made up of four core divisions which together bring tailored packaging and materials handling products and services.

LogicaCMG: UK, business consulting, systems integration and IT.

L'Oreal: French, cosmetics and toiletries giant with a market capitalisation of $US162 billion in February 2020.

Louis Dreyfus Company: France, merchant firm that is involved in agriculture, food processing, international shipping, and finance. The company owns and manages hedge funds, ocean vessels, develops and operates telecommunications infrastructures, and it is also involved in real estate. Along with Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, and Cargill, Louis Dreyfus is one of the four "ABCD" companies that dominate world agricultural commodity trading. Agreed to buy ASX-listed Namoi Cotton in January 2024.

Lucent: US, backbone for web and mobile, bought listed JNA in 1990s. #

Luxottica: Italian, eyewear group which bought OPSM. #

LVMH: French, one of the biggest French companies in everything from leather goods to drinks. Louis Vuitton even claimed $6m in Jobkeeper in 2020 when its revenue jumped 3.5% to $482m and net profit soared from $29.5 million to $54.9 million.

Manpower: US, leading global provider of integrated consulting solutions across the employment lifecycle.

Marriott: US, a leading worldwide hospitality company founded in 1927 with 3100 hotels in 65 countries.

Mars: US, one of the world's biggest private companies which has grown into a global outfit with six business segments including Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.

Marsh & McLennan: US, a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital. Owns the Mercer business in Australia which is big in superannuation and financial administration.

Marubeni: Japanese, aluminium, coal and iron ore investments.

Maxxium: Dutch, Maxxium Worldwide is responsible for the sales, local marketing and distribution of ABSOLUT Vodka, The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky, Jim Beam Bourbon and Rémy Martin Cognac.

McDermott International, US: fully integrated global supplier focused on energy sector construction and engineering which generated more than $1 billion in Australia, according to its 2023-24 modern slavery statement. However, it also faced a bankruptcy battle in recent years.

McDonalds: US, largest fast food company which is also the largest real estate holder in the world. Has a big Australian operation and market cap was $US218 billion in January 2024. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Mediterranean Shipping Company: Swiss: trades as MSC and is an international shipping line founded by Gianluigi Aponte in Italy in 1970. Still family owned and headquartered in Switzerland since 1978. It is the world's largest container shipping company by both fleet size and cargo capacity, controlling about 20% of the global container ship fleet. Is a prominent member of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce Australia.

Mengnui: China, successfully bid $13.25 a share in 2019 for the Tasmanian-based powdered milk company Bellamy's, valuing the business at $1.5 billion.

Merck Sharpe Dohme: US, one of the largest prescription pharmaceutical companies which manufactures and distributes medicines for such ailments as HIV and osteoporosis. Has made a fortune paying CSL a 7% royalty on billions of dollars of Gardasil sales which have largely eliminated cervical cancer. Merged with rival Schering-Plough to create the world's second biggest pharmaceutical company. Also a global leader in consumer products and animal care.

Meta: US, has quickly emerged as a giant of the Australian advertising business through its ownership of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp.

Microsoft: US, software and computer giant which own Skype and even paid $US26 billion for LinkedIn in 2016.

Minmetals: China, bought OZ Minerals' operations including Sepon, Avebury, Rosebury, Golden Grove, Century and Dugald River. #

Mitsubishi Corp: Japan, the largest Japanese trading house with huge Queensland coal investments. The AFR reported that it paid $4 billion of dividends in the year to March 31, 2022 and $3.85 billion in the year before that. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Mitsubish Motors: Japanese, car manufacturing giant founded in 1870.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial: Japanese, bank with a range of Australian services run out of Sydney. Also invested $208 million into Challenger in 2007 and paid $1.2 billion for share registry and super administration giant Link Market Services in December 2023.

Mitsui: Japanese, iron ore through Robe River, North West Shelf and also a big meat player. The AFR reported that its two main Australian subsidiaries paid a combined $4.1 billion in dividends back to the Tokyo parent in 2022. A foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Mizuho Financial Group, Japan: listed Japanese banking and finance conglomerate with Australian revenues above $1 billion a year, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Moet Hennessy: France, global champagne and alcohol company. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Mondelez: US, the old food part of Philip Morris which controls Cadbury in Australia.

Morgan Stanley: US, global investment bank which bought the Investa Property Group.

Motorola, US: the Chicago-based IT, software and telco outfit reported Australian revenues of $400m-450m in this 2023-24 modern slavery filing with the Federal Government.

Mulpha: Malaysia, large owner of Australian hotels such as Hayman Island, Sanctuary Cove and Sydney's InterContinental

Mundipharma: NZ, is a leading provider of high quality analgesic pharmaceutical products for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain.

Nando's, South Africa: the fast food chain is ultimately owned by South African Rich Lister Dick Enthoven and it reported Australian revenues of $250-$300m in this interesting and comprehensive 2023-24 modern slavery report to the Federal Government.

Neilsen, US: the media measurement and data giant was bought for $U16b by private equity firm Elliott in 2023. It claimed to have Australian revenues exceeding $1b in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Neoen, France: global, renewable energy giant which built the $600 million Western Downs Green Power hub near Chinchilla in Queensland that began producing power in 2022.

Nestle: Swiss, former Pacific Dunlop food assets, plus also bought Uncle Tobys. One of the 20 largest companies in the world with an April 2018 market capitalisation of $US246 billion ($US333 billion Feb 2020).

Netflix: US, has subscriptions in more than 2 million Australian households generating annual revenues of more than $300 million.

Newmont: US, gold mining giant which initially bought Normandy Mining and then became our biggest miner with the 2023 takeover of Newcrest Mining.

News Corporation: US, slimmed down media giant which shifted its domicile from Adelaide to Delaware in 2004 but still controls REA and Australia's largest stable of newspapers.

Nexans: French, bought the old Pacific Dunlop Olex Cables business and is the world's second largest manufacturer of cables.

Nike: US, global marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and equipment.

Nippon Life: Japan, paid NAB $2.4 billion in 2015 for an 80% stake in MLC Life and then an extra $500m for the final 20% in 2024, as part of a wider deal with Resolution Life, which had earlier bought AMP Life for $3 billion in 2020. See Chanticleer summary of the deal.

Nippon Meat Packers Australia: Japan, almost $1 billion in annual revenues from Australia.

Nippon Paint, Japan: bought Dulux for $4.2 billion in 2019.

Nippon Sanso, Japan: the listed company is the 4th biggest global player in industrial, electronic and medical gases and paid $770m to Wesfarmers in 2024 for its Coregas division.

Nippon Steel: Japanese, iron ore through Robe River.

Nisbets, UK: Britain's largest catering equipment and supplies company turns over almost $1 billion a year in Australia, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Nisshin Foods: Japan, paid $950 million to private equity firm PEP for the milling and pasta roll-up Allied Pinnacle in 2019. See 2023-24 modern slavery statement for details on the business.

Nissan Motor: Japanese, car manufacturer with a solid market share although it stopped manufacturing in Australia in 1992.

Nomura, Japan: traditionally the largest Japanese stockbroker and says its Australian revenue exceeds $1 billion a year through its global swap, derivatives and OTC operations in everything from stocks, bonds, commodities and currencies. Through the Nomura Research Institute it also reported $350m-$400m of Australian revenues related to the IT industry in 2023-24, so a very big conglomerate indeed.

Norinchukin Bank, Japan: specialises in financing the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector in Japan but the Australian arm has also branched out into energy and mining and generated revenues of $300m-$350m in 2023-24.

Norske Skog: Norway, global paper giant which bought Kiwi rival Fletcher Paper and runs its Australian operation out of Chatswood in Sydney.

North American Construction Group, Canada: the Canadian mining equipment and services giant paid $450 million to buy the privately owned Mackellar Group in August 2023. Mackellar was founded in 1966 and it was finally sold 57 years later after the family build an empire with 700 full time employees, 350 mining machines and over 15 ongoing projects.

Novartis: Switzerland, a pharmaceuticals and consumer health company which has ranked in the top 20 globally with a February 2020 market capitalisation of $US243 billion.

Novomatic, Austria: pokies manufacturer which bought control of Ainsworth Gaming Technology for $473 million from billionaire Len Ainsworth in 2018 and the still listed business is now turning over almost $300m a year.

Nutrium: Canada, a combination of two large Canadian agri-businesses, Potashcorp and Agrium, which paid $1.2 billion for AWB in 2010.

O-I: US, the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the world, formerly known as Owens Illinois, plus owns many other building industry operations.

Obayishi, Japan: construction giant which had a bad experience delivering the original tunnels for Melbourne City Link project, but has more recently built projects such as Atlassian's new Sydney HQ. Claimed to have Australian revenues above $1b in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement.

Officemax: US, a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail.

Onepath: Dutch, formerly known as ING, OnePath is one of Australia's leading providers of wealth, insurance and advice solutions.

Optimus Group, Japan: bought Brookfield's Linx Cargo Care's auto logistics unit in 2024, 7 years after it was bought from Asciano. The AFR reported that the division generated about $17 million a year in earnings in the used cars and logistics market, based out of Sydney.

Oracle: US, provides the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems operating in over 145 countries. February 2020 market capitalisation of $US175 billion. Paid $1.6 billion for ASX-listed Aconex.

Mr CK Ow: Singapore, billionaire who owns the Stamford hotel chain.

Paccar: US, the second biggest player in the US truck market through its DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt brands which are sold worldwide. The company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Paine, US: the US private equity firm first bought into Costa Group in 2011, then exited through its 2015 float but then privatised the business again in 2024.

Paloma Industries: Japanese, owns Rheem/Vulcan water heater business.

Panasonic: Japanese, electrical goods and world's biggest plasma TV maker.

Paramount: US, media giant which bought control of Ten Network Holdings for about $200 million in 2017.

Parmalat: Italian, previously known as Pauls, it is one of the major manufacturers of milk, yoghurt and fresh dairy products in Australia.

PayPal, US: the payment provider demerged out of Ebay and had a market cap of $US66.6b in early 2024.

Peabody Coal: US, bought Excel Coal in 2006 and then mopped up MacArthur Coal in 2010 before then going broke. Has since bounced back again.

Pearson: UK, Grundy TV production, financial information, Penguin, a large education business and The Financial Times before it was sold to Japanese interests.

Pepsico: US, drinks and Pizza Hut and major rival to Coke, with a February 2020 market capitalisation of $US201 billion.

Pernod Ricard: French, a leading provider of premium wines which bought Orlando in 1989. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Persol: Japan, human resources giant which paid $778 million for Perth-based Programmed Maintenance Services in 2017.

Pfizer: US, pharmaceuticals giant and Australia's leading provider of prescription medicines and animal health products. A top 50 company globally with a February 2020 market capitalisation of $US211 billion. Generates more than $US50 billion a year in revenue and annual profits of $US8 billion and boomed thanks to its COVID vaccine.

Pharmacia: US, pharmaceuticals, consumer health.

Philips: Dutch, a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting.

Porsche: German, also controls VW, Man and Scania. February 2020 market capitalisation of $US21 billion.

Posco: South Korea, steel company with various Australian coal and iron ore plays, including a stake in Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill operation. Claims to be one of the largest foreign investors in Australia and customers for our resources.

Primus Telecommunications: US, facilities-based networks and facilities-based data centres for sophisticated data communication.

Proctor & Gamble: US, one of the biggest consumer products companies in the world with a February 2020 market capitalisation of $US313 billion. Owns everything from Dove soap and Gillette with Australian sales coming in between $700m and $800m according to this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Prysmian Group: Italy, headquarters in Milan and is the world's largest electrical cable manufacturer with 28,000 employees globally. The Australian operation has 2 large production facilities in Sydney and across Australasia it has 9 warehouses and more than 500 staff.

PT Adaro: Indonesia, listed coal company which teamed up with a private equity firm to pay $US2.25 billion for Rio Tinto's Kestrel coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin in 2018.

PZ, Cussons: UK, leading supplier of detergent, soap and refrigeration products.

Qatar Airways, Qatar: competes vigorously with Qantas when it comes to international flights into Australia.

Qinetiq Group Plc, UK: was part of the UK government until 2001 and was later floated on the LSE in 2006. Is a major Defence contractor and reported Australian revenues of $200-$250m in this 2023-24 modern slavery filing with the Federal Government.

RAG/Evonik: German, international energy and chemical company which used to be Germany's biggest coal miner but it also now the second biggest German chemical company with operations in more than 100 countries.

Rank Group: New Zealand, the global packaging and paper giant put together by Kiwi billionaire Graeme Hart, which includes the old Carter Holt Harvey business.

Renesas, Japan: the chip market launched a $9.1 billion cash bid for Altium (ALU) in 2024 which closed in the middle of 2024. The cash offer to acquire the company was priced at $68.50 a share. See scheme implementation agreement.

Revlon: US, is a global color cosmetics, hair color, beauty tools, fragrances, skincare, anti-perspirant, deodorants and beauty care products company founded in 1932 and controlled by New York billionaire Ronald Perelman until he lost control after a bankruptcy process in 2023. See Wikipedia entry.

Reckitt Benckiser: UK, world's biggest cleaning products and health care company with brands including Dettol, Harpic, Mortein, Finish, Strepsil, Nurefen and Clearasil. Australian revenues exceed $1 billion according to its 2023-24 modern slavery report to the Federal Government.

Rio Tinto: UK, owns very large Australian mining assets, particularly in WA iron ore, but no longer in coal.

Roche: Swiss, innovator and manufacturer of pharmaceuticals which is one of the 50 largest companies in the world with a market capitalisation exceeding $150 billion ($US300 billion Feb 2020).

Royal Bank of Canada: Canada, the biggest Canadian bank with April 2018 market capitalisation of $US110 billion ($US114 billion Feb 2020) and a solid Australian operation.

SAIC Motor, China: the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation has been one of the most aggressive Chinese operators in the Australian auto market in recent years acquiring once-struggling European brands like MG and LDV (formerly Leyland DAF Vans).

Saint Gobain (CSR): the French building materials giant lobbed a $9 a share bid for CSR worth $3.4 billion on February 22, securing due diligence. The $9 deal was agreed on February 26 and complete in July 2024.

Salesforce, US: world's leading enterprise software company with a market cap of $US272b in January 2024 and a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia. Has Australian offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Salim family: the Indonesian billionaires own MACH Energy Australia which bought Rio Tinto's Mount Pleasant coal mine in NSW for $US224 million in 2016 and developed it into a 10 million tonnes a year operation generating more than $2 billion a year in revenue. See AFR wrap of all the Indonesian billionaires in the Australian coal industry. The fine print of the sale agreement summary talked about a 2% royalty when prices exceeded $US72.50 a tonne, so Rio Tinto will have been getting extra trailing commissions as the coal price boomed in recent years.

Samsung, Korea: mobile phones giant.

San Miguel: Philippines, a conglomerate which owns a variety Australian businesses ranging from Boags beer to Berri juices.

Sandvik: Finland, offers the world's widest range of equipment for rock drilling, rock excavation, processing, demolition and bulk-materials handling.

Sanofi-Aventis: France, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies focusing on cardiovascular, thrombosis, metabolic disorders, oncology, central nervous system, internal medicine and vaccines. Has a market capitalisation of more than $US60 billion and is a foreign member of the BCA.

SAP: German, the world's leading provider of business software solutions. Australian operation is based in North Sydney. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US124 billion ($US169 billion Feb 2020).

Saputo: Canada, first bought Warrnambool Cheese & Butter and then mopped up Murray Goulburn to become a giant in the Australian dairy market before hitting trouble and selling 2 milk processing plants to Coles for $105m in 2023. Also closed its King Island facility in 2024.

Schenker Logistics: German, one of the leading international providers of integrated logistics services.

Schneider Electric: French, bought Clipsal Electric for $750 million in 2005 from Rob Gerard and his partners. Also bought Japanese company APC-MGE which used to separately appear on this list. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Sealed Air: US, turns over around $400 million a year in Australia supplying around 80% of plastic films to the red meat industry (CRYOVAC). They invented bubble wrap and also have a packaging business that supplies inflatable bubble on demand. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sev.en Global Investments: a Czech coal and power firm which paid $200m for the Vales Point power station in 2022 and previously bought generating assets in Queensland.

Seven & I Holdings: Japan, owns the global 7-11 business and in 2023 agreed to pay $1.71 billion to buy the Australian operation.

Shell: Dutch-UK, a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies in more than 90 countries. Is Europe's biggest energy company with an April 2018 market capitalisation of $US277 billion. Merged with BG Group in 2016, effectively taking over the old Queensland Gas business. Has now also sold out of Woodside. #

Siemens: German, electricals, communication, engineering and transport. One of the 50 most valuable companies in the world.

Sime Darby Berhad: Malaysian, trading giant known in Australia for its car dealerships in New South Wales and Queensland, plus also paid $625 million in early 2023 for equipment hire business Onsite Rentals, which had $303 million in annual revenues at the time. It already owns Salmon Earthmoving and Hastings Deering.

Singapore Airlines: Singapore, collects about 25% of Asian and Europe bound international traffic out of Australia, plus owned more than 20% of Virgin Australia before it collapsed during the COVID pandemic.

Singapore Power, Singapore: See multiple entries on power sector list although partially sold down after accepting an $18 billion Brookfield bid for Ausnet in 2022. Still owns 40% of Jemena which is a foreign member of the Business Council of Australia.

Singtel: Singapore, paid a crazy $14 billion for Optus in 2002 but has plugged away as the number 2 against Telstra for the past two decades.

Simplot: US, bought Pacific Dunlop pastry businesses such as Herbert Adams and Four'n Twenty.

Sinopec: China, the world's biggest oil, gas and chemicals company is run out of Beijing and owns 25% of the enormous Gladstone APLNG project in partnership with Conoco Phillips and Origin.

Sinosteel: China, now in control of iron ore company Mt Gibson. #

Societe Generale, France: the global financial services giant is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Sojitz, Japan: the Tokyo based company was formed in 2004 by the merger of Nissho Iwai and Nichimen Corporation and its latest expansion Down Under came in 2023 when it bought Ellis Air. Ellis Air alone disclosed Australian revenues of $250-$300m in this 2023-24 modern slavery report to the Federal Government.

Sony: Japanese, a giant in televisions, games, mobiles phones and the like.

Soufflet Group: French, a private company controlled by the Soufflet family which returned from its lengthy due diligence at ASX-listed United Malt with a binding bid in July 2023 to buy the company at $5 a share.

SpaceX, US: controlled by Elon Musk and Starlink product is doing very well in regional Australia.

Spark New Zealand: New Zealand, the old Telecom New Zealand which lost a fortune in AAPT but is doing better now.

Specsavers, UK: controlled by UK billionaires Doug and Mary Perkins and reported $1b+ in Australian revenues in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement to the Federal Government.

Staples Inc: US, in 2009 took 100% control of office supply giant Corporate Express. Market cap was $US6.7 billion in August 2023.

Starwood: US, one of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies which operates brands including The Westin and Four Points.

State Street, US: one of the 3 biggest global index investors along with Blackrock and Vanguard and pops up as a substantial shareholder in dozens of ASX200 companies.

Stellantis, French-Italian: the new parent company name after the 2021 merger of Peugeot and Fiat, which created the world's 4th biggest car maker.

Stihl, Germany: the power tools manufacturer is still owned by the founding Stihl family in Germany and has manufacturing plants in 7 countries, but not Australia, where it's sales and distribution focused operation is run out of Knoxfield in Melbourne's eastern surburbs. Its 2023-24 modern slavery report cited Australian revenues of $250-$300m, the majority of which presumably comes via Bunnings.

Strandbags, UK: the fashionable products manufacturer and distributor is owned by London-based billionaire Michael Lewis, who grew up in South Africa. Strandbags reported Australian revenues of $400m-$450m in this 2023 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Sumisho Coal: Japan, investment in Northparkes copper-gold mine in NSW.

Sumitomo: Japanese, iron ore through Robe River and various other interests. Also owns NEC. The scale of its operations can be seen in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement by its wholly owned "Summit WA" which is doing almost $500m a year of largely fertiliser sales in WA alone.

Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux: French, owns the large Pacific Waste Management business.

SvitzerWijsmuller: Danish, shipping giant paid $700 million for Australian tug operator Adsteam Marine in 2005. #

Synnex, US: a NASDAQ-listed business services and customer solutions company which has a subsidiary called Concentrix Services that cited Australian revenues of $250-$300m in this 2023 modern slavery statement.

TAG Energy, French/Italian: in November 2022 it reached financial close on a 4000GWH wind farm in the shire of Golden Plains, which is Australia's biggest costing almost $3 billion. The sole equity investor is French renewable player TagEnergy, which is associated with wealthy French entrepreneur Jacques Veyrat and the Agnelli family of Ferrari fame.

Taishin Financial Holdings, Taiwan: one of the largest Taiwanese financial institutions which reported $1 billion-plus in Australian revenues in its 2023-24 modern slavery statement.

Tat Hong Holdings: Singapore, listed cranes and heavy equipment supply group which moved to 100% control of the listed Tutt Bryant Group in 2010. Tutt Bryant generated revenues of $321m in 2008-09 and $240m in 2009-10. #

Tata, India: conglomerate which owns everything from Jaguar Land Rover to Air India and a large global steel business. Australian revenues exceed $1 billion according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Tech Mahindra, India: listed IT and software company with 145,000+ staff globally and Australian revenues of between $250 and $300 million, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Temasek Holdings: Singapore, sovereign fund which dropped $400 million in ABC Learning and has invested more than $10 billion in power assets.

Tesla, US: Elon's Musk's EV company which has suffered plunging sales globally in 2025.

Thales, France: multi-national defence contractor which in 2023 paid $176 million for ASX listed cyber-security company Tesserent. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Thyssen Krupp Group, Germany: a global steel and engineering giant which is the largest shareholder in Byrnecut, a Perth-based global underground mining specialist with annual revenues of $1.5 billion. There was talk of a sale by The Australian in August 2023.

Tokio Marine Group, Japan: global insurance player which cited Australian revenues of $250-$300m in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement lodged with the Federal Government.

Total: France, the world's fourth biggest oil major mainly has a downstream lubricants business in Australia. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US127 billion ($US118 billion Feb 2020).

Toyota: Japanese, Japan's largest vehicle manufacturer and one of the largest automotive companies in the world established in 1937. Is a top 50 global company with Australian sales exceeding $1 billion each year.

TPG: US, private equity firm which made a fortune out of Myer, tried to buy Qantas and Fairfax and has more recently invested in Australian healthcare and the death industry giant Invocare.

Transalta, Canada: opened its first Australian facility in WA in 1996 and has built it up to a portfolio of 9 power generators producing around 500mW by 2025. See Transalta website.

Transdev: France, a big global transport operator with major contracts in Australia. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Tyco: US, fire protection and other industrial services.

Uber: US, has cut a swathe through the taxi industry and now dominating food delivery as well. Gross revenues now exceed $200 million, although they don't book all this in Australia.

UBS: Swiss, huge financial services firm that offers wealth management and is established in all the major financial centres of the world. Bailed out Swiss rival Credit Suisse in 2023.

Unilever: Dutch-UK, detergents and ice cream and array of other household brands, they were founded in 1890.

Unisys: US, IT firm which generates about $300 million a year in Australia.

UnitedHealth Group: US, biggest listed US health provider with a growing Australian presence and an April 2018 market capitalisation of $US224 billion ($US280 billion Feb 2020).

United Technologies Corporation: US, major multi-national based in Connecticut and into everything from engines, to elevators, including its large Carrier air conditioning business in Australia.

Vale: Brazil, the Brazilian iron ore giant runs its global coal operations out of Brisbane. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US67 billion ($US280 billion Feb 2020).

Vanguard: US, world's second biggest investor after Blackrock and dominates with passive index investing.

Varian Medical Systems: US, a global technology leader in Scientific Instruments and Vacuum Technologies.

Veolia: France, global utilities giant which is particularly strong in waste and water, including a big Australian operation. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Verizon: US, telco giant which owns the likes of MCI, AOL and Yahoo. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US196 billion ($US244 billion Feb 2020).

Vestas: Denmark, the world's largest wind turbine company has more than 600 staff in Australia and reported annual revenues of more than $1.5 billion.

Viacom: US, Blockbuster video, a leading global entertainment content company.

Vinci: French, the construction giant paid $113 million for Brisbane-based ASX-listed civil construction group Seymour Whyte in 2017, after earlier acquiring Queensland electrical engineering group J&P Richardson in 2016. Is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Virgin: UK, no longer in airlines but has been an Australian player in sectors such as mobiles, music, fitness, financial services and various other Australian business backed by Sir Richard Branson.

Visa: US, global payments technology company established in 1958 which delivered huge profits for its banking shareholders, including Australia's Big Four which are now largely out of it. April 2018 market capitalisation of $US242 billion ($US398 billion Feb 2020).

Viterra: Canada, grain handling and marketing, agri-products, agri-food processing, feed manufacturing and financial products. Beefed up its Australian operations with the $1.6 billion acquisition of ABB Grain in 2009.

Vivendi Universal: French, media conglomerate focusing on the music business through its global Universal brand.

Vodafone: UK, was once the world's leading mobile telecommunications company established in 1984. Unhappy experience in Australia competing with Telstra and now exposed through its stake in TPG.

Volkswagen: Germany, global car manufacturing giant which also owns car rental powerhouse Europcar.

WeBuild: Italy, big construction firm which bought Clough in 2023 and has major contracts on projects including Snowy 2.0 and Victoria's North East Link.

Wei Chih Steel, Taiwan: listed in 1996 and the global steel manufacturing player has Australian revenues of between $400 and $450 million, according to this 2023-24 modern slavery report lodged with the Federal Government.

Wex Group, US: the NYSE listed company claimed to have $1 billion-plus in Australian revenues in this 2023-24 modern slavery statement which came out of its Singapore office. The company is a provider of payment processing and information management services to the global fleet industry and is headquartered in Portland, Maine with a January 2025 market cap of $US7 billion.

Weyerhaeuser: US, paid $300 million for CSR's old timber businesses in the 1990s. Capitalised at $US23b in late 2022 and still going strong.

Widjaja family, Indonesia: one of Indonesia's richest families they control Stanmore Resources, a Queensland coal miner with a market cap of $3 billion in June 2024, and also separately bought South 32's Illawarra Metallurgical Coal for up to $1.65 billion in early 2024.

Wilmar International: Singapore, paid $1.7 billion for CSR's old sugar business Sucrogen in mid-2010 and then $1.3 billion for Goodman Fielder in 2015. Capitalised at $S25b in late 2022 so doing well.

Yamaha: Japanese, it began over 100 years ago and has grown to be one the biggest manufacturers of musical instruments in the world.

Yanzhou Coal, China: in 2009 it paid a whopping $3.5 billion for coal miner Felix Resources and then backed this up a year later when it paid $2.2 billion for Gloucestor Coal to become an Australian coal mining giant.

Yara International: Norway, a world leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen from the air into essential products.

Yum Brands, US: owns KFC, Pizza Hut and a range of other fast food brands. Capitalised at $US44 billion in April 2025.

Zurich: Swiss, financial services giant which bought Cover-more in a $740 million deal and also paid $2.85 billion for ANZ's life insurance business in 2019.

SOME FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT EXITED AUSTRALIA AFTER A BAD EXPERIENCE

Barclays: market capitalisation of $44 billion. Quit Australia in 2016.

City Spring Infrastructure: the Singapore outfit paid $1.175 billion to UK firm National Grid in 2007 for the Basslink undersea cable between Tasmania and Victoria but it later went broke and was bought off its bankers by APA Group for around $750 million in 2022.

Dairy Farm International: Blundered with its management of Franklins and sold out to a combination of Coles, Woolworths and Metcash in 2001.

GPU: the US utility paid $2.55 billion to the Kennett Government for its electricity transmission monopoly Powernet Victoria in 1997 and sold it to Singapore Power 3 years later for $2.1 billion, booking a $450 million loss. Lost another $150m after paying more than $1 billion for Gasnet and floating it 3 years later.

Home Depot: US hardware chain with market capitalisation of $US50 billion. Failed Masters joint venture with Woolworths.

Japan Post: Japan, paid about $9 billion for Toll Holdings in 2015 but it was a disaster as the executive chairman John Mullen discussed in his 2017 chairman interview. Sold most of it 2021. See Nikkei report.

Lando Infratech: in December 2010, the Indian power company paid $850 million for Griffin Coal's West Australian assets, which spectacularly collapsed in 2022.

Toys R Us: the US category killer launched against Coles Myer in 1993 which had a 40% market share but then launched the specialist chain World 4 Kids specialist rival. Both wracked up big losses and later folded.

US West: US telco giant which dropped more than $500 million on Optus and pay-TV in Australia before exiting.

William Hill: the UK gambling outfit overpaid with a series of acquisitions in 2013, took a big write-down in 2017 and then sold out to Canada's Star Group in 2018, pocketing $314 million.

Copyright © 2025 The Mayne Report. All rights reserved

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