George Weston Foods, which owns smallgoods producer Don KRC, is no longer pursuing an acquisition of Hans Smallgoods. Australia’s largest smallgoods producer, Primo, and George Weston, whose Don, KR Castlemaine and Watsonia brands are prominent in the smallgoods sector, both sought approval from the ACCC to purchase Hans, but yesterday the ACCC terminated their review of George Weston’s request as the proposed purchase would “no longer proceed for commercial reasons”. Hans... ...Read more »

George Weston Foods, the owner of Don KRC, and Primo Smallgoods have signalled their intentions to purchase Hans Smallgoods. Hans went into voluntary administration in November, with the business operating as normal until an appropriate buyer is found by the administrators – KordaMentha. “Hans is a great brand and has some world class facilities, so our first aim will be to offer the business to buyers with related interests so that some synergies may be achieved,” Mark Mentha, from KordaMentha,... ...Read more »

Privately owned agribusiness company Craig Mostyn Group (CMG) has acquired the fresh pork business of George Weston Foods, Watsonia. CMG Chief Executive, David Lock, said the company was looking to strengthen their PPC/Linley Valley Fresh brand. “We are 100 per cent committed to our fresh pork business, with all our pork sourced from WA producers,” Mr Lock said. “I’m delighted this has now culminated in our purchase of the fresh pork assets and business of George Weston Foods/Watsons... ...Read more »

Tip Top has disputed comments made by the Queensland State Secretary of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) indicating that Tip Top vendors were not being adequately compensated in the wake of rising costs and were overburdened by their supply chain partners. The bread manufacturer, a subsidiary of George Weston Foods, reported that they continue to work closely with their contractors to provide a great service in Queensland. TWU Queensland Secretary Hughie Williams yesterday told AAP that Tip... ...Read more »

The possible strike in Queensland by Tip Top vendors is on the back burner for the time being, as truck drivers instead instruct Coles and Woolworths to stack their own shelves in Brisbane. Currently, vendors for Tip Top Bakeries, who own the Sunblest, Up, 9-Grain and Tip Top brands, usually take the bread into Coles and Woolworths stores, refill the shelves and take old bread back to their depot. The vendors, who purchase the bread from Tip Top and deliver and sell it to supermarkets, have decided... ...Read more »

Industrial action proposed by Tip Top truck vendors could have an extensive impact on Brisbane’s bread supply if it goes ahead. The Transport Workers Union of Australia (TWU) is due to discuss the possibility of a strike at a meeting this afternoon, with truck drivers increasingly worried about the impact of rising cost pressures on their incomes. About eighty drivers are likely to attend the meeting – mainly suppliers of supermarket chains Aldi, Woolworths and Coles. “Without an... ...Read more »

Noble Rise has created a new range of five fresh bread flavours, now hitting shelves in supermarkets and convenience stores Australia-wide as they launch a national promotional campaign to end boring lunches. The flavours are designed to appeal to the modern Australian palate, with the range of options coinciding with the launch of their new campaign – ‘Take A Stand Against Bland’. The new flavours, released Australia-wide last week, included: * Noble Rise Honey & Wholemeal... ...Read more »

Don KRC, a leading Australian smallgoods manufacturer, has announced a major restructure of manufacturing operations which will result in the closure of two factories. The company, a subsidiary of George Weston Foods, will end production at their factories in Altona (Vic) and Spearwood (WA) – resulting in all manufacturing being moved to an expanded Castlemaine site by 2010. There will be a progressive winding down of production at both the Altona and Spearwood facilities, with the West... ...Read more »