National Foods and Warrnambool Announce Interest in Australian Dairy Firm

National Foods and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory have announced their joint interest in pursuing an acquisition of Australian Co-Operative Foods.

The companies stated that if National Foods is successful in acquiring Australian Co-Operative Foods (Dairy Farmers), then National Foods and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter will form a joint venture to run the existing businesses of Dairy Farmers.

The proposed joint venture will be owned and operated by National Foods and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter. Its operations will be limited to the current cheese brands, production, conversion and wholesale activities of Dairy Farmers.

The companies also said that Warrnambool Cheese and Butter will supply the cheese joint venture with the majority of its requirements for bulk cheddar cheese and National Foods will market and wholesale the joint venture product in Australia.

Ashley Waugh, managing director of National Foods, said: “This proposed joint venture brings together complementary skills – brand management, sales and marketing skills from National Foods and, efficient cheese manufacture skills and capabilities from Warrnambool Cheese and Butter.”