Fresh Produce Group (FPG) has further strengthened its role as a supplier to the Australian domestic market with the acquisition of the Produce One business unit from CostaExchange subsidiary FreshExchange.
FPG’s foray into the domestic service business began two years ago when it acquired Brisbane-based company Baird Produce. The addition of Produce One, and its large-scale production facility, now provides FPG with a significant services platform focused on procuring, packing, processing and marketing produce to the East Coast of Australia.
The 6,000m2 facility, based at Arndell Park in Sydney, incorporates coldrooms, ripening rooms, pre-packing equipment and processing capabilities for cutting and wrapping fresh produce.
Produce One has traditionally served as a pre-packing operation with a focus on value-added products such as fresh-cut melon and cut pumpkin, Fruitnet.com understands. And value-added services have become a key battleground for domestic market suppliers in Australia as they vie to create a point of difference for their retail customers.
With its Brisbane-based unit and its large-scale distribution centre at Sydney Markets, FPG is already providing pre-ripening and other value-added services for Australian retailers, and the purchase of Produce One looks set to significantly extend its capabilities in this area.
“FPG is committed to enhancing its service offering in the domestic marketplace,” said FPG’s managing director Robert Nugan. “The addition of Arndell Park to the existing FPG services business in Brisbane will dramatically increase our ability to provide daily service and product supply to each of the major supermarket chains in Australia, as well as to the leading independent retailers.”
John O’Leary, who already headed up the Arndell Park operation, has now been appointed general manager of FPG’s domestic business reporting directly to Mr Nugan.
“While the name on the front of the building has changed at Arndell Park, you can be reassured that under the stewardship of FPG, the entire team remains committed to the trusted partnerships that have collectively been built over 37 years,” said Mr Nugan in a company statement. “The focus will remain on delivering quality products and services that have been the hallmark of this business for many years.”
