• Bega Cheese chair Barry Irvin on the completion of the Lion Dairy & Drinks acquisition by Bega Cheese. Bega Cheese generated normalised earnings before interest, depreciation and tax (EBITDA) of $141.7 million in FY2021, up 38 per cent on FY20.
    Bega Cheese chair Barry Irvin on the completion of the Lion Dairy & Drinks acquisition by Bega Cheese. Bega Cheese generated normalised earnings before interest, depreciation and tax (EBITDA) of $141.7 million in FY2021, up 38 per cent on FY20.
  • Bega Cheese broke through the $3 billion revenue barrier in FY22, but while revenue was up 45 per cent, statutory earnings were down 19 per cent to $149.9 million.
    Bega Cheese broke through the $3 billion revenue barrier in FY22, but while revenue was up 45 per cent, statutory earnings were down 19 per cent to $149.9 million.
  • Some of the Bega brands now available in NSW after the acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks.
    Some of the Bega brands now available in NSW after the acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks.
Close×

Bega Cheese’s acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks has been completed, with brands Dairy Farmers, Pura, Farmers Union, Big M, Daily Juice, The Juice Brothers and Berri joining the Bega stable. Bega’s product range now includes fresh milk, flavoured milk, yoghurt, juice, cream and custard alongside its traditional dairy and grocery business.

The brands acquired by Bega include:

  • milk based beverages (Dare, Farmers Union, Big M, Masters, Dairy Farmers, Canberra Milk);
  • yoghurt (Yoplait, Farmers Union, Dairy Farmers, The Culture Co);
  • juices (Daily Juice, The Juice Brothers, Mildura, Prima and Berri);
  • cream and custard (Pura, Dairy Farmers); and
  • white milk (Pura, Dairy Farmers, Masters, The Complete Dairy and Canberra Milk).

Bega Cheese chair Barry Irvin said the company was “delighted” to have “such treasured brands” officially part of the Bega family and back in Australian hands.

“Bega has been working hard to create a great Australian food company, and in addition to acquiring such great brands, we look forward to welcoming a large and talented team into our business,” said Irvin.

The company also expands its physical footprint, with its operations growing from eight manufacturing sites across three states to 20 manufacturing sites (plus a joint venture) across six states and one territory – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and Western Australia.

The sale was announced in November, when Bega Cheese said it would acquire all shares in Lion Dairy & Drinks (LDD) for $560 million. The net acquisition price is $534 after a $26 million deduction for IT separation costs.

 

 

Packaging News

Earlier this month PKN published an article that voiced industry concern over the speculation that Qenos might be closing its polymer manufacturing plants in Australia. Qenos has remained silent on the matter. The MD of Qenos customer Impact International, Aleks Lajovic, wants some answers.

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, is the proud recipient of eight FPA Awards for innovative and sustainable contributions to the industry.

An impressive number of quality entries into the inaugural Hive Awards created a highly competitive line-up for judges to consider. The packaging category was one of the most strongly contested.