Bluebird cleared to acquire savoury snack business

6 October 2005/037

Bluebird cleared to acquire the savoury snack business of Hansells

The Commerce Commission has cleared Bluebird Foods Limited to acquire from Hansells (NZ) Limited all the assets and brands used by Hansells in the manufacture and wholesale supply of:

- Potato chips, corn chips and other snacks under the Krispa, Aztec and Poppajacks brands; and

- House brand or private label products manufactured for supermarkets and other retailers.

Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said that the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in the New Zealand market for the manufacture and wholesale supply of savoury snacks, which includes potato chips, corn chips and extrusions.

Bluebird is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Australian-based food company Goodman Fielder Pty Limited. Bluebird currently supplies a number of brands such as Bluebird Originals, Kettles, Grainwaves, Burger Rings and CC's corn chips.

Hansells owns Future Foods Limited and jointly owns PLC (NZ) Limited with its parent company, Hansells Holdings Limited. In addition to the savoury snack brands listed above, Hansells currently supplies a number of other products such as baking powders and essences, powdered drinks, and instant desserts.

A public version of the written decision will shortly be available on the Commission's website, www.comcom.govt.nz under Public Registers.

ENDS

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