In a shakeup of its Australian operations, Heinz has announced it will move its beetroot, sauces and some of its meals from factories at Girgarre, Brisbane and Wagga Wagga, to its facility in Hastings, New Zealand, while investing $25 million in its Echuca baby food plant and beverage production in Brisbane. “Heinz operates a number of factories across Australia and New Zealand.  Our decision to consolidate manufacturing is a critical step in our plan to become more competitive in a challenging... ...Read more »

Golden Circle was last night awarded Best in Show at the annual Australian Packaging Awards. Organised by the Packaging Council of Australia, the Awards celebrate inspiration and creation in the Australian packaging industry. Best in Show is selected from of the Gold Award winning entries across all of the categories. Judges commented that the entry demonstrated excellence in functionality, aesthetics and innovation. “Its simple, beautiful form is perfectly matched to its function… Its... ...Read more »

US food giant HJ Heinz has introduced a slew of new products into major cities in India.The company has launched chutneys, cooking sauces and mixes and ready meals “to meet the needs of the discerning Indian consumer”, Heinz India MD N Thiruambalam said. Heinz Home Style Chutneys are available in two varieties – coriander mint and tomato – and are priced at INR60 (US$1.28). The company has also launched Heinz Chef Style Sauces, a range of Mediterranean- and Chinese-style sauces. Heinz... ...Read more »

Fruit and vegetable manufacturers Golden Circle has apologised for out-dated labelling, packaging and advertising that still state Golden Circle is “Proudly Australian Owned”. The company was acquired by US company Heinz last year. Earlier this year Golden Circle donated more than 800,000 cans of Golden Circle fruit and vegetables to Australian welfare agencies in response to concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about the misleading country ownership... ...Read more »

A new breed of sparkling fruit juices that contain more sugar than CocaCola have been labelled ‘Worst Offenders’ in a review of 40 popular drinks by Dr Rosemary Stanton and children’s health lobby group The Parents Jury. Dr Stanton and The Parents Jury have once again teamed up as the Food Detectives to investigate the truth behind the marketing spin on children’s food and drinks. The results of their investigation reveal that carbonated fruit juices are the new Worst Offenders... ...Read more »

More than 800,000 cans of Golden Circle fruit and vegetables are on their way to Australian welfare agencies that feed the hungry as part of a response to concerns raised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about misleading country ownership claims.The ACCC has also accepted a court enforceable undertaking from H.J. Heinz Company Australia Limited after it admitted that it engaged in misleading conduct by representing that Golden Circle was ‘Proudly Australian owned’. Heinz,... ...Read more »

The H.J. Heinz Company, one of the world’s largest food manufacturers, has reported a 4.5 per cent lift in sales in the first quarter, after stripping out the negative impact of currency movements. The ketchup maker saw emerging market strength and a rise in prices offset a fall in volumes but currency movements still ensured a 7 per cent fall in profit. “Led by strong organic sales growth in Emerging Markets, our sharply focused global portfolio of leading brands performed well, especially... ...Read more »

Heinz, after posting record sales in Fiscal 2009 are now on their way to expand their Golden Circle brand in Asia-Pacific. At last week’s 2009 Investor and Analyst Meeting, William Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of HJ Heinz said that the recent acquisition of Golden Circle in Australia in December 2008 was an important growth step into Asia-Pacific. “Heinz Australia has been probably our top performing company over the last five years and Golden Circle gives us the opportunity for a... ...Read more »

Heinz Australia has advised that manufacturing job cuts are not on the agenda following the acquisition of Golden Circle in December, as it seeks to strengthen the brand it acquired for $288 million. Golden Circle has around 1000 employees working at their two manufacturing facilities, Northgate in Brisbane and Mill Park in Melbourne. Heinz spokeswoman, Jessica Ramsden, reported that no manufacturing jobs had been cut since the completion of the takeover, with the company actually planning to increase... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Heinz formally took ownership of Golden Circle on 19 December, 2008, with the integration likely to be completed by around the middle of the year. “Following a review of the Golden Circle business which will commence in the New Year, it is expected that integration will take approximately 6 months,” a Heinz statement advised. “Heinz will provide further information as the Golden Circle business is integrated into the Heinz Australia business.” “In the... ...Read more »