TGG
05/02/2016 13:14
GENERAL
NOT PRICE SENSITIVE
REL: 1314 HRS T&G Global Limited
GENERAL: TGG: MOU signals closer collaboration for Zespri and T&G
Zespri and T&G today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) confirming
their intention to work together to create value for their respective growers
and shareholders. Zespri Chairman Peter McBride and BayWa Chief Executive
Professor Klaus Josef Lutz signed the MOU early this morning NZ time at the
fruit industry trade show Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
Professor Lutz explains that, as two large New Zealand horticultural
exporters with strong global brands, Zespri and T&G have committed to develop
market opportunities together to grow export sales.
"This is a positive collaboration between two large New Zealand exporters,"
says Professor Lutz.
Mr McBride says both companies are major contributors to the New Zealand
economy and offer premium branded products supported by innovative marketing.
"This MOU formalises our intentions to look for opportunities to use our
respective strengths to grow sales."
The first step in this collaboration can be seen with regulatory approval of
a new initiative: the two companies will work together to sell around one
million trays of Zespri Kiwifruit in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos in
the 2016 season.
"This proactive collaborative marketing partnership will accelerate the
growth in kiwifruit sales across a region with huge potential. T&G will
develop sales programmes for Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold and T&G products in
these four Southeast Asian countries, leveraging the strength of the Zespri
brand and marketing strategy with T&G's existing business expertise,
distribution channels and strong product offering," says Mr McBride.
Professor Lutz says T&G will open an office in Bangkok to represent and
support the two companies' sales programmes. The new team will work together
to grow sales of both Zespri and T&G branded products like JAZZTM and ENVYTM
apples in the region, with a regional manager already appointed and key
account managers appointments to follow.
This collaborative arrangement is the first of its kind to be approved by
regulator Kiwifruit NZ (KNZ) and learnings from this programme will be used
to inform future collaborative programmes. Under the Kiwifruit Regulations,
Zespri is the primary exporter of NZ-grown kiwifruit beyond Australia.
However other exporters can apply to KNZ with proposals to export NZ-grown
kiwifruit in collaboration with Zespri.
Mr McBride explains the recent Kiwifruit Industry Strategy Project
consultation with growers heralded a change in direction for Zespri and
collaborative marketing. "This has opened the way for Zespri to partner with
companies which can offer strong coverage in new or developing regions for
Zespri and increase returns to our growers."
ENDS
Additional information
o Zespri sold 670,000 trays of Zespri Kiwifruit in Thailand, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Laos in the 2015 season
o Around 1.6 million trays were sold through collaborative marketing in
2015 and around 2.8 million trays have been provisionally approved for 2016
o Zespri is the buyer of NZ kiwifruit for export to every country with
the exceptions of Australia (which is governed by Closer Economic Relations)
and collaborative marketing approvals for non-Zespri varieties
For more information, contact Zespri Senior Communications Advisor Rachel
Lynch on [email protected] or (64) 27 509 1805. Photos are available on
request - low-res images of the MOU signing are attached and high-res photos
are available on request.
About Zespri Group Ltd
With sales revenues of $1.57 billion in 2014/15, Zespri is one of the world's
most successful horticulture marketing companies and the Zespri brand is
recognised as the world leader in premium quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount
Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit
growers, and employ approximately 350 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and
the Americas.
On behalf of our 2,500 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based
elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management,
distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri
Organic, Zespri Gold and Zespri Sweet Green Kiwifruit.
About T&G Global Ltd
Passion for freshness. Everyday. Everywhere.
T&G has a distinguished history stretching back to 1897 and is recognised as
New Zealand's leading distributor, marketer and exporter of premium fresh
produce. Since 2012 BayWa AG, Munich (Germany) has been a major shareholder
of T&G. A truly global business, T&G along with partner growers, grows fresh
produce in over 20 countries around the world including pipfruit, grapes,
citrus, kiwifruit, asparagus, berries, summerfruit and tomatoes.
With a network of over 253,000m2 of storage facilities in New Zealand, a
global distribution network covering sales, marketing, and logistics, and a
passionate, experienced team, T&G is intent on ensuring the produce their
customers receive - whether they are in New Zealand or New York - is as good
as the day it was harvested.
End CA:00277306 For:TGG Type:GENERAL Time:2016-02-05 13:14:18
