The Australian manufacturer of healthy confectionery brands, JILA mints and JOLS fruit pastilles, has announced it's on the lookout for an equity partner to help turbocharge its expansion into Asia.
Ferndale, a 20-year old Australian company, says it now sells more than 30 million packs of confectionery annually. The brand has approximately 5,500 points of distribution, but it still operates from its original facility in Delacombe, Victoria, which has undergone numerous expansions to cope with rising demand.
Brothers and general managers, Jarrod and Leigh Edward, said they have conducted in-depth research and formulated a strategy to take the Ferndale offering to Asia on a much grander scale than their historical ad hoc export activity.
According to Leigh Edward, Ferndale is one of the only companies to offer a truly healthy alternative within the confectionery space. It sells sugar and fat-free products containing natural ingredients locally, as well as in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong.
“We are meeting an increasing demand from the Asian consumer market for high-quality health products while addressing a concerning rise in health issues such as diabetes,” Edward said.
“To date Ferndale’s growth has been managed conservatively, but export market expansion has always been a clear long term objective. With little effort on our part – our product quality has always generated international interest – Ferndale already exports to 14 countries.”
According to Edward, Ferndale’s brands offer exceptional product and packaging quality, but because of their low overhead business model, they deliver sustained financial performance including double digit sales growth in the year to date, with robust EBITDA margins.
“We are looking forward to visiting a number of Asian markets to meet with potential partners, and forging strong and enduring partnerships thereafter. We endeavour to continue our father’s legacy and, with his blessing, expand his vision for Ferndale globally,” Edward said.
