Express Employment Professionals, the sixth-largest US staffing firm, acquired Sydney, Australia-based Frontline Recruitment Group, expanding its operations into Australia and New Zealand. The deal closed on Feb. 18.

Frontline is focused solely on direct-hire placements and has 31 locations in Australia and three in New Zealand — all locations are franchised making it a fit for Express, according to the company. Industries served by Frontline include retail, hospitality, health, education, IT and construction.

Plans call for the Frontline brand to remain. Frontline Managing Director Peter Davis and Executive Director Deb Davis will remain with the combined company, and the company will continue to operate as it has.

Oklahoma City-based Express also announced it plans to begin offering its own franchises in Australia and New Zealand under the Express brand.

“By purchasing Frontline Recruitment Group and joining forces, Express is poised to expand our expertise as leaders in temporary staffing to offer this type of employment to job seekers across Australia and New Zealand,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said.