Swan Valley business, Mondo Nougat, has acquired its neighbour, Morish Nuts. The two confectionery companies are a sweet match, both known for using Australian ingredients to produce traditional family recipes.
Mondo Nougat celebrates 20 years in the Swan Valley in 2025, but the Romeo family first started making nougat in 1991 as a Christmas-only line to sell at their patisserie in Midland, from a traditional recipe from their hometown in Taurianova, Italy.
Customer demand led to nougat being made year-round in 1997 and by 2000, Mondo Patisserie had moved to Morley and become Mondo Nougat.
The creator of innovative flavours of caramel coated Australian nuts, Morish Nuts’ director Archie Moroni, recently decided to retire after celebrating 30 years in business, making it the perfect time for Mondino Pty Ltd, the parent company behind Mondo Nougat, to take over.
After 12 years of cohabitation at 640 Great Northern Highway, Herne Hill, the two family-owned businesses will continue operating retail and production facilities, under the ownership of Mondino. Moroni will remain as an advisor to Mondino for 12 months.
“Having poured blood, sweat and tears into developing the unique Morish Nuts taste, product range and brand, my partner Marie Mapp and I are ready to finally take life a bit easier,” said Moroni.
“We are thrilled Morish Nuts will continue to flourish under the stewardship of the Romeo family.”
The company stated the acquisition of Morish Nuts will strengthen the reputation and visibility of both brands in the competitive confectionery marketplace, and create opportunities for increased national and international distribution.
The Morish Nuts store at the Fremantle Markets will continue to trade under that name but will carry an increased selection of Mondo Nougat as well as diversifying into other Western Australian-made artisan food lines.
Mondino managing director, Andrea Romeo, said the family sees the acquisition as a way to build on Moroni’s legacy, while establishing Mondino as a leading manufacturer and distributor of artisanal Australian-made confectionery products.
“The team will continue to work under the Mondo Nougat motto of tradition, innovation, and excellence as we look at options to expand both brands into new outlets and for exciting collaborations with other WA producers,” said Romeo.
