Page 11 - Retail World March 2021

NEWS BEGA RETURNS ICONIC BRANDS TO AUSSIE HANDS Bega Cheese has completed its acquisition of the Lion Dairy & Drinks business, initially announced in November. The acquisition marks the official return of a number of Aussie brands to Aussie ownership, including Dairy Farmers, Dare, Pura, Farmers Union, Masters, Big M, Daily Juice, The Juice Brothers and Berri. “We’re delighted to return these iconic brands to Australian hands,” Bega Cheese Executive Chair Barry Irvin said of the deal’s completion. “This is a great moment for Bega, and we couldn’t be more excited for such treasured brands to officially join the Bega family.” Bega says it is excited about its future, with its operations growing from eight manufacturing sites across three states to 20 manufacturing sites (plus a joint venture) across six states and one territory (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and Western Australia). “Bega has been working hard to create a great Australian food company, and in addition to acquiring such great brands, we look forward to welcoming a large and talented team into our business,” Mr Irwin said. Bega says it is “extremely proud” of the dairy and grocery business it is building, which includes “household favourites” such as Vegemite, Bega Peanut Butter, Simply Nuts and its honey range, B honey. “We hope that Australians are as thrilled as we are that much-loved state-based brands that they’ve grown up with, such as Masters (WA), Farmers Union Iced Coffee (SA) and Big M (Victoria) are again Aussie owned,” Mr Irwin said. “These great brands are returning to Aussie ownership for the first time in more than a decade.” Following the acquisition, Bega’s product range now includes fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurt, juice, cream and custard alongside its traditional dairy and grocery business. The brands acquired by Bega include: • Milk based beverages (Dare, Farmers Union, Big M, Masters, Dairy Farmers and Canberra Milk). • Yoghurt (Yoplait, Farmers Union, Dairy Farmers and The Culture Co). • Juices (Daily Juice, The Juice Brothers, Mildura, Prima and Berri). • Cream and custard (Pura and Dairy Farmers). • White milk (Pura, Dairy Farmers, Masters, The Complete Dairy and Canberra Milk). buderimginger MAR, 2021 RETAIL WORLD 9