MEDIA RELEASE
20 November 2009
Ocean Spray and Heinz have announced that, from 1 March 2010, Heinz will manufacture and distribute the Ocean Spray
range of beverages and sauces in Australia.
The agreement covers Ocean Spray’s existing cranberry and other fruit juice drinks, cranberry sauces, Craisins®
sweetened dried cranberries and could extend to include new product formats in the future.
In the New Zealand market where the Ocean Spray range also enjoys strong sales, there will be no discernable difference
to the trading process – James Crisp Limited will continue to manage the sales role on behalf of Ocean Spray but some of
the range will now be sourced from Australia.
“Ocean Spray enjoys an excellent reputation in the United States where the growers’ cooperative has an 80 year heritage
and is the number one brand in ambient juices and juice drinks. We are extremely pleased that we will soon be working
with a company of a similar calibre in Australia. We believe that Ocean Spray will add another dimension to the Heinz
business and provide a strong opportunity for growth,” said Anne-Maree Ogilvie, Ocean Spray Regional Manager, Australia
and New Zealand.
COO of Ocean Spray International, Stewart Gallagher, said, “Australia and New Zealand is one of a handful of core growth
markets for Ocean Spray International. We have had solid performance every year since our launch in 1995 and see this
new alliance with Heinz as an opportunity to transform our business model and marketplace performance for years to
come.”
Heinz Australia's Sales Director, Michael Jones said the strength and heritage of the Ocean Spray brand sits well within
the company's stable of quality juice and sauce products, including Golden Circle and Original Juice Company fruit
juices, Heinz sauces and ketchup, and Cottee's and Roses jams.
"The manufacturing capability of Heinz Australia - particularly following its acquisition of Golden Circle last year,
which included juice making facilities in Queensland and Victoria - also provides Ocean Spray with excellent product
innovation opportunities and capacity for growth in the Australian market," said Mr Jones.
ENDS