350+ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 it's 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, the world's most valuable company courtesy of its computers, ipods, ipads, iphones Apple Watches and the like.

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 or 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.

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.

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.

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 $US7 trillion under management. Pops up as a substantial shareholder in dozens of ASX listed companies and is currently buying infrastructure giant GIP.

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.

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.

Bright Horizons, US: the US 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.

British Telecom: UK, various telecommunication investments.

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.

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.

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.

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. #

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.

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. #

Costco: US: the big barn retailer is now up to 16 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 is being supported by the independent directors. Deal expected to close by the middle of the year.

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.

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.

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.

DHL: German, the world's largest logistics specialist.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Ford: US, declining car manufacturer.

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 is ditching 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.

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.

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.

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. #

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

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

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.

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.

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. #

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 and controls listed Hutchison Telecommunications, which has now merged with TPG.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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 runs Melbourne's tram network in a joint venture with Downer EDI.

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. 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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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, the premier global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital.

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.

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, 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 bid $1.2 billion in for share registry giant Link 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.

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.

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.

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 10 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 revenues of approximately $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 Foxtel, 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.

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 Steel: Japanese, iron ore through Robe River.

Nisshin Foods: Japan, paid $950 million to private equity firm PEP for the milling and pasta roll-up Allied Pinnacle in 2019.

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

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.

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 30 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 doing ever better now 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.

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 Pringles to Dove soap and Gillette with Australian sales exceeding $500 million.

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.

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 is expected to close by the middle of 2024. The cash offer to acquire the company is 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.

Reckitt Benckiser: UK, world's biggest cleaning products and health care company with brands including Dettol, Harpic, Mortein, Finish, Strepsil, Nurefen and Clearasil.

Resolution Life: UK, agreed to pay up to $3 billion for AMP's life insurance business in a revised deal which settled on June 30, 2020.

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 30 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 is expected to complete by the middle of the 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.

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. 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 40 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.

Singapore Power, Singapore: See multiple entries on power sector list although partially sold deal 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: is a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce.

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 maltster 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. #

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.

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.

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

Tesla, US: the world's leading electric car manufacturer is now one of the Magnificent Seven Tech stocks which has enjoyed a market capitalisation exceeding $US1 trillion.

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.

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.

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.

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

Tullow Oil, Ireland: paid $1.45 billion for Perth-based oil company Hardman Resources in 2006.

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 centre 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).

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, airlines (now just a branding deal and a 5% stake), 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.

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.

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.

Yara International: Norway, the world's 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.

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.

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.

Check out all the Mayne Report business lists here.

Go here to see the full comprehensive list of lists we've created documenting the dominance of foreign investors in Australia and our relative poor performance on the international business stage.

Copyright © 2024 The Mayne Report. All rights reserved

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