Freshmax/Crasborn merger complete
David Smith verified that following the OIO approval last week, the Group has settled the Sale & Purchase arrangements, and now planning has commenced for the larger Group future development.
“It has been a busy and productive 12 months with Freshmax investing into the Valley Fresh Group in Australia and North America and the subsequent opening of offices in Peru and South Africa. The Group is enjoying growth from its international purchases, in particular Energie Apple export business, along with our California office of Valley Fresh North America with exports to Asia and Middle East. Coupled with these global moves and the acquisition of Murrawee Farms, 220HA in Swan Hill along with further expansions the farming Joint Ventures in Shepparton, the Group has had a big year.”
Our Pacific Rim farming business will be spearheaded by the Crasborn Group who have extensive capability in farm development and post harvest operations. The two groups have enjoyed a longstanding relationship spanning over 10 years in packing and joint venture farming operations in the Hawkes Bay.
Customers will experience an all-encompassing farming profile within the business in 2015. Crasborns, along with Freshmax, own IP variety rights - Eddie Crasborn and David Smith are confident that future growth and integration will be driven by the Group’s IP and portfolio of Products and Brands.
A greater range of vertically integrated services from nursery work to production packing, prepacking, coolstorage and “direct to market” services can now be offered to customers.
Freshmax was founded as a “front end” marketing business however the Group has developed their supply and production base to become one of the most complete Australasian Fruit and Produce companies with sales in excess of $500M and a portfolio of Suppliers and Services to meet the world demands for the healthy and safe fresh fruit and produce sales.
“Whilst a number of interesting businesses continue to be offered to us, we see next year as a year of consolidation and organic growth” said Chairman, David Smith.
David G Smith
Mobile +64 21 920 780
dsmith@freshmax.co.nz
Eddie Crasborn
Mobile +64 21 458 282
eddiec@crasborn.co.nz