Australian pie and pastry firm Patties Foods has acquired Simplot’s facility at Pakenham in Victoria, Australia, according to a Food and Drink Business report.
The move follows Simplot’s exit from the frozen meals category last August leading to the closure of their Pakenham facility, where the company manufactured Nestle’s Lean Cuisine range.
Patties Foods is also said to have closed a multi-year contract to produce Leggo’s pasta products for Simplot Australia. The range will be produced at the Pakenham site along with Patties Foods’ own chilled ranges and sweet items from its fruit production line.
Commenting on the move, Patties Foods CEO Paul Hitchcock said: “As the world’s largest savoury pie maker, we are experiencing consistent increasing demand for our products in Australia and abroad. The greater capacity and resources we now have has us placed in a strong position as we continue to grow our manufacturing sites and product offerings into 2019”.
The acquisition of the site includes land, building and equipment. Operations are set to start in March.
Source: Food & Drink Business