Jindi brand bought by French dairy giant
Leading Australian gourmet cheese brand Jindi Cheese has been sold to Lactalis, the large French-based dairy group.
Lactalis through its control of Parmalat Australia already owns Pauls Milk, Vaalia yoghurt brands and flavoured milk brands Breaka, Oak and Rush.
It is reported that Lactalis paid around $20 million AUD for Jindi Cheese. All Jindi cheese staff will be retained as part of the Lactalis take-over and the current distributor, Menora Foods, will continue to distribute in Australia.
Jindi was sold by Menora Foods which acquired the brand in 2005 after having already been the distributor of the brand for several years. Menora Foods is controlled by the Melbourne-based Shachna and Gluck families.
Ely Schachna Managing Director, Menora Foods said that Jindi Cheese required an owner that “has the resources to continue to drive growth and innovation” and that “Lactalis has the resources to take the business to the next level.”
Jindi Cheese’s recent success was recognised at the recent 2013 Australian Grand Dairy Awards, taking out three “Champion Cheese” awards. Jindi Cheese was awarded Champion White Mould Cheese for its Old Telegraph Road Brie; Champion Blue Cheese for its Old Telegraph Road Heritage Blue; and Champion Washed Rind Cheese for its Jindi Reserve Washed Rind.
