Page 32 - Food&Drink Magazine May 2022

FRESH & CHILLED
A fresh produce powerhouse
Two acquisitions in six months have seen fresh and frozen produce company Produce Republic become the country’s largest largest suppliers of fresh and processed produce.
Kim Berry writes.
IN September 2021, after a competitive bidding process, Produce Republic acquired food processing company In2Food out of receivership.
In2Food provides fresh fruit and vegetables to food manufacturers, hotels, cafés restaurants, caterers, and aged care facilities nationally.
The business had a network of 10 storage, distribution and packaging facilities throughout Australia, and a fleet of more than 100 trucks.
Produce Republic managing director Brett Jackson tells Food & Drink Business its priority for In2Food was to re-engage with its network of growers and ensure the jobs of the company’s 400 employees.
Jackson says the company had been badly affected by the pandemic but had “outstanding fundamentals, with established supply relationships with local
growers, a diverse customer base, loyal employees and an integrated national footprint”.
“What excited us about In2food was the opportunity to introduce our manufacturing disciplines into that sector. It’s obviously not a solution for everything but it will form part of our strategy.
supplier MD Provodores, turning the company into one of the largest suppliers of fresh and processed produce to the hotel, restaurant, and café (HoReCa) market in Sydney.
MD Provodores was founded 18 years ago and supplies more than 550 venues across Sydney with fresh – and through its wholly owned subsidiary
Slice + Dice – pre-cut fruit
and vegetables.
“In2Food’s state-of-the-art processing facilities, expansive reach and direct-from-farm approach, enhanced by MD Provodores’ local experience, diverse customer base and processing operations will make for a formidable force
in a competitive market,” Jackson says.
Founder and director Mouhamad Dib says the acquisition will enable the business to grow its local and national footprint.
“MD Provodores currently supplies more than 550 venues in the Sydney area. As part of In2Food we will be able to service more than 1000 venues, with all food delivered fresh before lunchtime,” Dib says.
Once completed, In2Food will operate a network with close to 500 employees, in excess of 110 trucks, and a facility in every capital city except Hobart, servicing more than 5000 customers nationally.
Jackson says, “Our purchase of MD Provodores brings two strong food companies together.
32 | Food&Drink business | May 2022 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au
“ MD Provodores currently supplies more than 550 venues in the Sydney area. As part of In2Food we will be able to service more than 1000 venues... before lunchtime.”
“Our initial focus was getting in, understanding the business, and then making strategic decisions from there,” he says.
Six months later, a revived In2Food acquired the Sydney- based fruit and vegetable
The combined company will position In2Food as the leading supplier to the HoReCa market in New South Wales and strengthen our position as the pre-eminent national player in the sector.”