Birdseye Joins Food Firms' Merger Talks

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29222, 4 June 1960, Page 7

Birdseye Joins Food Firms' Merger Talks

(New Zealand Press Association)

HASTINGS, June 3.

Birdseye Foods (New Zealand), Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, Ltd., England, and the Chesdale Cheese Company, a Rutland subsidiary, have joined in merger negotiations involving the other food processing firms of J. Wattie Canneries, Ltd., the J. R. Butland group, and the Central Otego Fruit Company, Ltd. This was announced today by Mr James Wattie, managing-director of J Wattie Canneries,,Ltd.

“If successfully concluded, the canning and quick freezing operations of the companies concerned will be more efficiently and economically conducted. It must be obvious to all that the combination of the factories concerned into one unit will reduce expenses substantially. This will greatly widen the markets for the canned and quick frozen foods. In particular, it will assist our export trade, and I envisage pleasing expansion in this direction. “Growers Will Benefit” “The growers will be heartened by this news because the benefits will be of great value to them. Although, at this stage I cannot supply all the details, I can say that the present directorate and management of J. Wattie Canneries. Ltd., will not be disturbed and that the control of the processing side of the amalgamation would be in their hands. “The marketing of the products will be done by a separate company owned by J. R. Butlano, Ltd., which is well known as one of New Zealand's proved and most successful merchandising organisations.

“With my company’s experience on the manufacturing side and the ability of Messrs Butland

handling the marketing of the products, I believe that a strong and highly efficient organisation will result from which all sections of the Dominion must benefit.

“There would not be any loss of positions as far as staff is concerned, in fact opportunities for advancement would be greater than ever.”