Marlin Brands
Consumer durables
Acquired Albi in 2016, Decor in 2017, and Willow Ware in 2018. Serves more than 18,000 retailers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Acquired by investment companies Oaktree Capital Management and Alceon Group in 2019.

Overall

Owned AUS
Rating D
About the Ratings
Marlin Management Services Ltd
AUS
Oaktree Capital Management LP
owns 50% of Marlin Management Services Ltd
USA
Asset management
Formed in 1995. Today they have offices in 19 cities in 14 countries, with the majority of their investments in North America. Canada's Brookfield Asset Management bought 62% of Oaktree in 2019. Previously owned surfwear giants Quiksilver and Billabong.
Alceon Group Pty Ltd
owns 50% of Marlin Management Services Ltd
AUS
Private investment group
Specialist advisory, investment, and capital solutions firm founded by former Babcock & Brown executives in 2010. Acquired Noni B in 2014.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jan 2023)
Marlin Management Services Ltd
Criticism
Owned by two companies, one of which has criticisms
Marlin Brands is owned by two investment firms, one of which has criticisms.
Oaktree Capital Management LP
Criticism
Involvement in gambling
This company has an investment in two companies which supply products to the gambling sector, Interblock and J&J Ventures Gaming.
Information
Unconventional oil & gas operations
This company has an investment in EXCO Resources, an unconventional oil and natural gas exploration, exploitation, development and production company, with a focus on shale resource plays. Operates mainly in Texas, Louisiana, and Appalachia.
Socially responsible investing claims
Foolow the link to see this company's policy on socially responsible investing.
UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory
UNPRI is a set of six principles direct institutional investors may adopt to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when investing. UNPRI is a voluntary agreement.
Involvement with Israel
This company is recommended for divestment by the Project of the American Friends Service Committee for its involvement in the Israeli occupation of parts of Palestine. Oaktree bought Veolia's operations in Israel, including a dump site in the occupied West Bank and a wastewater facility that serves illegal settlements.
Source: AFSC (2021)
Alceon Group Pty Ltd
Information
Unconscionable conduct
This company was involved in a landmark court case heard in the NSW Supreme Court in 2015. Alceon agreed to lend $23 million to property development entity Quadwest, which was in desperate need of funds to pay significant creditors and ensure completion of a large residential project in Perth. One of the conditions of the loan was that the developer's elderly parents would need to give up their family home if Quadvest defaulted on the loan, which it did. The court found that this condition of the loan was "unconscionable", and the family home was saved.
About the founders
This company was founded by Phil Green and Trevor Loewensohn, two of the men behind Babcock & Brown, Australia's biggest corporate failure. This Crikey article reveals details of how Green retained a number of valuable assets and millions in cash, while the company he was running collapsed.
> About the Icons

Company Details

Type:
Private company
Revenue:
260 million AUD (2018)
Subsidiaries:
The Decor Corporation Pty Ltd
Homewares
Founded in Melbourne in 1958 and acquired by Marlin Brands in 2017. Bought Willow Ware in 2018.
Willow Ware Australia Pty Ltd
Houseware and cookware
Founded in Melbourne in 1887. Acquired Starmaid in 2013 to become the largest peg manufacturer in Australia. One manufacturing facility in Tullamarine, Melbourne. Acquired by Marlin Brands-owned Decor Corporation in 2018.

Contact Details

Address:
Level 5, 15 Claremont St, South Yarra, VIC, 3141, Australia
Website:
www.marlinbrands.com.au

Products / Brands

Marlin Brands
Zanui Homewares Stores
Decor Corporation
Aura Pegs
Decor Food Storage Containers
Decor Brushware & Mops
Reva Pegs
Starmaid Document Storage
Willow BBQ Needs
Willow Document Storage