In April 2006, CHAMP together with existing Manassen Foods Australia shareholders created a new company, Food Holdings Pty Ltd which acquired Manassen Foods Australia, Great Southern Foods, King Oscar and Hutchinsons New Zealand. The combined entities which will continue to trade as Manassen Foods were merged to form Australia’s leading specialty branded food supplier with over 350 employees and revenues in excess of A$250 million.

Manassen Foods, the core of the group, is Australia’s leading specialty food importer and distributor servicing the retail grocery trade. The company is the exclusive brand owner and distributor of numerous leading international and local brands such as Castello Cheeses, Trident, Walkers Shortbread, Carr’s Water Crackers, The Laughing Cow & Mini Baybel Cheeses, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, Mrs Fields Cookies, Rosenborg Cheeses, S&W Mayonnaise, McVities Biscuits, Findus Frozen Foods and the Margaret River Dairy Company.

This extensive brand portfolio is mirrored and extended across the Tasman through the Hutchinson’s business, one of New Zealand’s largest food importers and distributors. To supplement this exceptional range, Great Southern Foods brings well established brands in the noodle category including Wokka Noodles and Bamboo Pot, as well as a significant private label probiotic drink business. King Oscar is a worldwide market leader and an icon in the canned fish category (sardines). All brands have national distribution across all major retail clients in Australia and New Zealand.

CHAMP and Manassen Foods believe the aggregation of these highly synergistic entities adds tremendous value in creating a unique business focused on the retail grocery trade with the scale to support an increasingly demanding landscape. It is CHAMP’s intention to support the continued growth of the business through both investment and acquisition.