Oetker: Acquires Simplot Australia’s Pizza Business

Mentone / AU. (sa) Simplot Australia Pty. Limited and Dr. Oetker Australia announced the acquisition of Simplot´s frozen pizza business. The acquisition includes the «Papa Giuseppi´s» brand, all current frozen pizza private label business and the pizza assets at Simplot´s Pakenham facility. Simplot Australia will work closely with Dr. Oetker in growing their frozen pizza business in Australia and New Zealand. Simplot Australia will provide a range of ongoing support services including merchandising, supply chain and manufacturing. «For Dr. Oetker, a global leader in frozen pizza, this represents a significant step towards achieving our international growth strategy», says Declan O´Leary, Managing Director, Dr. Oetker Australia. «Encouraged by the success of the Dr. Oetker ‘Ristorante’ brand in Australia, we look forward to the next stage of our growth plan in establishing ourselves as a national supplier of frozen pizza in the Australian market», says O´Leary. Terry O´Brien, Managing Director, Simplot Australia, says «The agreement is a major win for both companies considering Dr. Oetker´s global expertise in frozen pizza and Simplot´s strong market presence in Australia and New Zealand». This represents a great opportunity to grow the frozen pizza market and we look forward to supporting Dr. Oetker to develop its business». Simplot Australia is a leading food manufacturer and marketer with key brands such as John West, Birds Eye, Edgell, Leggo´s, I+J and Lean Cuisine. The sale is expected to be effective in April 2011.