Gina Rinehart swoops on rural clothing icon Driza-Bone

Australia’s richest person has emulated another rural baron in adding a much-loved outback brand to her business empire.

Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, has emulated another rural baron in adding a much-loved outback brand to her business empire.

Ms Rinehart’s livestock company S.Kidman & Co has bought Driza-Bone, makers of the iconic oilskin jackets beloved of stockmen.

Details of the sale – including the price paid – have not been disclosed.

The 125-year-old brand is an Aussie icon.

The purchase follows fellow mining magnate and rich lister, Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s recent purchase of iconic Aussie hat maker, Akubra.

Mr Forrest’s investment company Tattarang bought the 147-year-old Akubra business from the Keir family in a multimillion-dollar deal.

It follows the purchase of boot brand R.M Williams by Mr Forrest’s Tattarang for $190 million in October 2020 from French fashion giant Louis Vuitton.

Ms Reinhart's purchase follows the acquisition of hat maker Akubra by Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest.

In a statement Ms Rinehart said she was honoured to carry forward Driza-Bone’s pioneering legacy while supporting its growth.

“Our family’s and company’s long association with the outback seems to be a natural fit,” she said.

“Driza-Bone’s oilskin coats are iconic.”

Gina Rinehart has swooped on Driza-Bone.

S. Kidman & Co intends to expand the Driza-Bone product range and extend its presence globally.

The sale means the 125-year-old company, which was bought by Propel Group in 2008, will ­remain Australian owned.

S. Kidman & Co, a company founded by founded by celebrated cattle baron Sir Sidney Kidman, was bought by Ms Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture and Chinese company Shanghai CRED in 2016, who jointly own the company.

Originally published as Gina Rinehart swoops on rural clothing icon Driza-Bone