Melbourne LSP Ethnolink Acquires Sydney-Based Competitor Language Professionals

On May 1, 2024, Melbourne-headquartered language services provider (LSP) Ethnolink acquired Language Professionals, a translation agency based in Sydney. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

While Ethnolink already has offices in Sydney — in addition to Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth — the acquisition is “a move to further turbocharge its growth in the Sydney market,” according to a May 22, 2024 press release. 

“We are actively seeking additional acquisition opportunities within Australia as part of our strategy to achieve scale in this relatively small market,” Ethnolink CEO Costa Vasili told Slator. “This approach aims to expand our capabilities and market presence to better serve our diverse client base.”

Ethnolink, founded in 2011, will also benefit from Language Professionals’ 35 years in the language industry and experience working with government and corporate clients. The acquisition will also raise the number of Ethnolink’s full-time staff to more than 50, which Costa said will make it the “largest specialist multicultural communications agency in Australia.”

Costa pointed out that the Oceania market presents unique challenges for LSPs. On the one hand, the region’s highly diverse population and numerous languages and cultural backgrounds provide ample demand drivers for language services. (For example, Ethnolink proudly publicizes its indigenous language services, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.) 

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But geographic dispersion, coupled with the market’s small size compared to other geographical areas, can limit growth opportunities and make it difficult for companies to scale.

Ethnolink developed in-house a proprietary technology platform, known as Ethnolink Edge, to manage translation and multilingual communication projects. 

Language Professionals’ leadership, including Managing Director Max Doerfler, will stay on for a period of time to support the transition. The LSP will also continue to operate under its own brand within the Ethnolink group.