The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Australia's Reliance Worldwide will back an almost $2.9-billion (U.S.) buyout from Brookfield Corp., it said on Wednesday, as the plumbing supplies company confronts the continuing impact of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says investors can choose to be paid in U.S. dollars or Australian dollars if the deal proceeds and is approved by shareholders, Reliance said. "The board is unanimous in its view that this transaction is in the best interests of RWC shareholders," said Reliance Worldwide chair Russell Chenu in a statement. Two of Australia's largest pension funds, AustralianSuper and Aware Super, own about 20.2 per cent of Reliance and will have a major say in the deal's approval. AustralianSuper declined to comment on whether the Brookfield bid would be supported. Aware Super did not respond to a request for comment. AustralianSuper voted against Brookfield's $10.6-billion (U.S.) bid for Origin Energy in 2023 which was ultimately rejected by investors. Reliance depends on North America for the majority of its profit, where chief executive officer Heath Sharp said the business's prospects had been hard hit by tariffs.
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