Turners & Growers (T&G) has moved to strengthen it glasshouse tomato category with the acquisition of two operations in New Zealand’s Waikato-Bay of Plenty area.
T&G chief executive Alastair Hulbert said the purchase of Reporoa-based Great Lake Tomatoes and Ohaupo-based Rianto fitted with the company’s expansion plans.
“Earlier this year we launched our strategic pillars with covered crops being singled out as a strong category for us,” Hulbert explained. “These acquisitions enable us to look at further sales opportunities in New Zealand and also our international markets.”
Rianto owns and operates a 3.13ha glasshouse facility, producing approximately 1,600 tonnes of tomatoes annually, with a particular focus on the winter season.
Conversely, Great Lake’s production is focused around the summer months, with its4.9ha glasshouse facility producing approximately 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes each year.
Ton Zwetsloot, managing director and majority shareholder of Great Lake, and Frank van Rijen, managing director and owner of Rianto, will both continue their involvement with their respective businesses and assist T&G’s covered crops division.
“This is a great opportunity for our people to work with a business who will be well placed to fulfil their growth potential,” said says Zwetsloot. “We will be working together to ensure continued quality of product and service to our customers.”
Both acquisitions are subject to approval from New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office, with T&G expecting each acquisition to be finalised by 1 July 2015.
