Walter & Wild Limited Buys Iconic NZ Food Brands

Walter & Wild Ltd

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Walter & Wild Limited Buys Hubbard Foods Limited, Hansells Food Group and Gregg’s Table Sauces.

Walter & Wild, a newly formed New Zealand company today announced three separate deals, bringing together a suite of iconic New Zealand brands under the one umbrella.

“The bringing together of Hubbards, Hansells and Gregg’s Sauces under Walter & Wild combines some of New Zealand’s best-known food brands into a food manufacturing powerhouse,” said Harry Hart, owner of Walter & Wild.

“The breadth of expertise, manufacturing capability combined with an understanding of markets, both here and offshore will drive further growth and innovation. We now have a significant brand portfolio reaching consumers from breakfast to dessert,” said Mr Hart.

Leading brands in the portfolio include Alfa One, Aunt Betty’s, Hansells, Vitafresh, Vitasport and Coconut Collaborative; Hubbards’ mueslis and cereals; and Greggs table sauces.

The acquisition of Hansells Food Group now brings the range of Hansells’ brands back to full New Zealand ownership.

The company has also purchased the licenses for the supply of Gregg’s tomato, barbeque and steak sauces, and ketchup, as well as the F. Whitlock & Sons Worcestershire sauce in New Zealand, as part of a required divestment undertaking from Heinz Wattie’s.

Hubbards founder Dick Hubbard said: “After making the equivalent of 3 billion bowls of mueslis and cereals over 30 years, it is time to hand over the reins to a younger generation. In selecting a buyer, it was important that Hubbards remained in New Zealand ownership. I’m very pleased to have achieved that goal”.

“Harry and his team have the energy and enthusiasm to take Hubbards forward. I am really proud of what Diana and I have achieved. The company is in excellent shape with a strong management team, and the brand is a clear market leader in muesli. We had a lot of fun along the way, and I want to thank New Zealand for the opportunity to serve,” said Mr Hubbard.

Mr Hart and his team will build on the brands’ heritage and successes and significantly invest in their future.

“These organisations have a bright future together. The immediate focus will be on bringing the business together, and moving forward, we will be making the most of the strong potential we see for these brands both in New Zealand and offshore,” said Mr Hart.

Background Notes to Editors

Walter & Wild Limited (formerly HFG Group Limited) is a private company, owned by New Zealand investor Harry Hart.

It will be a significant force in New Zealand’s fast-moving consumer goods sector, with a combined portfolio of more than 500 products.

About Hubbard Foods Limited

Hubbard Foods Ltd is New Zealand’s largest independent breakfast cereal manufacturer and the third largest supplier of breakfast cereals in New Zealand.

Dick and Diana Hubbard established Winner Foods in 1988, changing the name to Hubbards Foods Ltd in 1990. The company is built on Dick’s philosophy of “Make good food then make a difference” which continues to drive the company today.

Hubbard Foods manufactures a comprehensive range of breakfast cereals which are distributed in New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and Asia. Hubbards is the leading brand in Muesli, New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing breakfast segment.

Hubbards has always been committed to innovation. The highly successful Hubbards granola range, and the new Big little Brekkie on-the-go breakfast range are but the latest examples.

About Hansells Food Group

The Hansells name has been part of New Zealand for 80 years and Hansells Food Group was created when Old Fashioned Foods acquired Hansells. The company’s key brands include: Alfa one, Aunt Betty’s. Aunty’s, Hansells, Thriftee, Vitafresh, Vitasport, The Coconut Collaborative, Teza and Weightwatchers products.

Hansells products are distributed across New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

About Greggs Table Sauces

As a result of the Commerce Commission granting clearance for Heinz Wattie’s to purchase food and coffee business Cerebos Gregg’s, the company was required to divest a number of licenses for the supply of Gregg’s tomato, barbeque and steak sauces and ketchup, as well as the F. Whitlock & Sons brand for the supply of Worcestershire sauce in New Zealand.

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