Primo snaps up Queensland competitor

Primo Smallgoods has expanded its Queensland footprint with the acquisition of one of the state's largest smallgoods manufacturers, Newland Foods.

Like Primo, Newland Foods makes finished smallgoods such as bacon, sausage, ham and roasts for the wholesale and retail market.

This latest acquisition will provide Primo with greater market share in the Queensland smallgoods market.

Primo's acquisition strategy has helped it to grow into Australia’s largest ham, bacon, salami and smallgoods manufacturer. In 2009, the company acquired its former competitor, Hans Continental Smallgoods.

Primo is expected to retain the Newland name as well as its branded products, however, Newland's Gold Coast operation is expected to be closed down and incorporated into Primo's recently constructed plant at Wacol, Brisbane, which could involve the loss of up to 80 jobs.

Primo is owned by Australian Consolidated Food Investments, which is owned by Asian private equity company, Affinity Equity Partners.

Australian Consolidated Food Investments ranked 19th in this year's Top 100 Food & Drink Companies report, produced by Food & Drink Business in collaboration with IBISWorld, which is out now in our November - December issue.