D&B Sells ANZ Operations to New Partner Firm

Business information giant Dun & Bradstreet is selling its entire Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) business to a private equity firm, for around $AUD 220m.

Archer Capital, via a newly-formed unit called Credit Data Solutions, acquires D&B's consumer risk, debt collection and commercial solutions business and will become a partner within Dun & Bradstreet's Worldwide Network, joining nearly 25 other partners on four continents.

D&B says two-thirds of the ANZ business is consumer-related, which is inconsistent with its established business-to-business focus, and the partnership approach allows it to maintain 'a strong commercial foothold in the market' while focusing on its long-term strategy, according to CEO and President Bob Carrigan.

Archer Capital's Frank Heckes comments: 'We believe there are many opportunities to invest in and grow each of these businesses. We are looking forward to working closely with the Dun & Bradstreet ANZ management team and to being a valuable member of Dun & Bradstreet's Worldwide Network'.

The deal is awaiting regulatory approval.

Established in 1841 [eighteen forty-one] D&B is online at www.dnb.com .