Page 58 - Food&Drink Magazine November-December 2021

YEAR IN REVIEW
2021headline makers
Food & Drink Business wraps up the news year with some of the top stories from 2022.
✷ JAN/FEB
ON THE COVER
for its patented milk processing technology. The process extends fresh milk’s shelf life to more than 60 days and helps retain more nutrients than conventional pasteurisation.
Naturo will use the funding to build a pilot manufacturing plant in Coolum. It is one of nine businesses that shared $4.4 million in matched grant funding under the Accelerating Commercialisation scheme.
UNILEVER MOVES WEIS PRODUCTION TO NSW
After being made in Toowoomba since 1957, Unilever’s Weis ice cream bar
production has
been relocated to
its Minto plant
in New South
Wales. Weis was
bought by
Unilever in 2017.
In November 2019, it announced the manufacturing line would be moving to Sydney. At the time, then Unilever ANZ CEO Clive Stiff said it hadn’t anticipated the move and it had been its firm intention to keep manufacturing in Queensland.
BEGA TRADEMARK WIN
The Victorian Supreme Court ruled Bega Cheese was
permitted to use the Bega trademark on products outside the scope of the licence Fonterra has for Bega branded cheese and butter products.
In 2017, Fonterra Brands Australia commenced proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court challenging Bega Cheese’s right to use Bega trademarks. Fonterra has an ongoing licence to use the trademark on licensed cheese and butter products.
The ruling means Bega Cheese is entitled to use the Bega trademark on products outside the scope of those licensed products, including peanut butter.
PURE FOODS ADDS ICE CREAM TO MIX
Pure Foods Tasmania acquired Tasmanian plant-based ice cream business The Cashew Creamery for $420,000. The deal follows PFT’s recent purchase of plant- based cheese business Lauds as it seeks to cement its position in the plant-based foods market.
TCC was established in 2016 by Jen Bruyn Schmidt and Matt
Schmidt. Its range has five flavours of dipped ice cream bars and four flavours of 483 millilitre tubs. It is currently distributed throughout Australia with around 250 stockists.
Jen Bruyn Schmidt will continue to be actively involved in the business, driving NPD in plant- based foods in collaboration with the Lauds team.
✷ MARCH
CRACKER OF A DEAL
Mondelez International acquired Australian premium cracker manufacturer Gourmet Food Holdings for reportedly more than $400 million. The company makes OB Finest, Olina’s Bakehouse and Crispbic.
The global FMCG giant said it gives the company an entry into a whole new snacking market in the health and wellness space.
Mondelez International Australia, New Zealand and Japan president Darren O’Brien said Gourmet Food had become a category leader through an “innovative, agile and consumer centric approach”.
Mondelez will operate Gourmet Food Holdings as a separate
Foodcare
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021
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ON 2021 TRENDS P20 WEATHERED A TOUGH YEAR P26 REAPS REWARDS P30
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ON THE COVER
Schmitz Cargobull
MARCH 2021
WHEN A SIDE HUSTLE FROM RISKY TO A LOOK INSIDE THE BECOMES A BUSINESS P8 RESPONSIBLE P24 CHOOK SHED P28
BEST IN THE BUSINESS Australian Made, German Engineered
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100% Committed to the Australian Food Processing Industry
BEGA WELCOMES LD&D
Bega Cheese’s acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks concluded with Bega chair Barry Irvin welcoming LDD brands into the fold. Irvin said the company was “delighted” to have “such treasured brands” officially part of the Bega family and back in Australian hands. Dairy Farmers, Pura, Farmers Union, Big M, Daily Juice, The Juice Brothers and Berri joined Bega, expanding its range to include fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurt, juice, cream and custard.
MURRAY RIVER ORGANICS CEO RESIGNS
CEO and managing director of Murray River Organics Group (MRG) Valentina Tripp resigned. Tripp was CEO for almost three years and oversaw the restructuring and growth strategy of the business. Tripp said she was taking time out with her family and developing her non-executive career.
MILKING TECHNOLOGY FOR LONGER SHELF LIFE
Food tech company Naturo secured a $1 million federal grant
58 | Food&Drink business | November - December 2021 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au
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