New Zealand-based Darling Group has moved to acquire JH Leavy, a leading fruit and vegetable marketing company based in the Brisbane Markets. The transaction has been completed via Darling Group’s subsidiary Global Fresh Australia, with JH Leavy’s operations set to come under the Global Fresh brand.
The two companies have developed a close trading relationship over the past four years, predominantly through the export of New Zealand kiwifruit and avocados to JH Leavy in Brisbane. More recently, the pair extended their partnership to include warehousing arrangements and exports of diversified products such as tomatoes and mangoes, along with citrus imports from the US and kiwifruit from Italy.
Darling Group chairman Andrew Darling said the move fits with the company’s long-held desire to broaden and expand its international business platform, and develop a more integrated supply chain covering production, packing, logistics, warehousing, sales and distribution.
“We recognise and respect JH Leavy as a long established and successful business operating in Queensland as well as inter-state, with a premium range of fresh produce and leading brands,” Darling explained.
“We see greater opportunities for suppliers and customers alike on both sides of the Tasman as we look to develop enduring relationships, building on the synergies created through a broader customer engagement, product range and stable of brands.”
Peter Tighe, managing director of JH Leavy, will continue on in a management capacity to assist with the ongoing business development. Darling said it would largely be ‘business as usual’ in terms of existing Queensland activities.
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