Baxters Food Group to manufacture in Australia

by just-food - 15/02/2010

"Baxters Food Group, the UK soup maker, is planning to use Australia as a manufacturing base for its chutneys business to push the products into new markets in Asia."

The company, which snapped up Australian vegetables-to-pesto firm Sole Mio last year, wants to use its production facility in the market to launch its “side-of-plate” products in the country - and further afield in the region.

Baxters has launched a series of products, including chutneys and relishes, in the UK over the last three years and is eyeing markets overseas.

A spokesman for Baxters hinted at new markets in Asia the company could target. “Manufacturing in Australia could open up new markets like Singapore and India,” he told just-food.

Baxters is also lining up a further acquisition in Australia, which the spokesman said the company hoped to complete “in the near future”.

The spokesman, however, declined to comment on the timetable for a deal or what type of business Baxters has in its sights.

This week, Baxters reported a recovery in its bottom line in the company’s most recent financial year.

In its latest filing at Companies House, Baxters booked net profit of GBP1.5m (US$2.4m) for the 12 months to 30 May last year - against a net loss of GBP1.7m a year earlier.

More Details: http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/02/15/baxters-food-group-to-manufacturer-in-australia.html