‘Yes please’ to sale

By Sarah Schwager
A SPRINGVALE company has taken over Jindi Cheese in a move that has been welcomed by both parties.
The sale of the company to Menora Foods was announced on Monday after negotiations were finalised last week.
Jindi Cheese managing director Andrew Ronalds said he was excited about the sale, having worked closely with Menora, who were responsible for all their major sales, including Coles, Safeway and BiLo, for 18 years.
“Any company wanting to sell wants to see their business in the hands of a good company, and an Australian company at that,” Mr Ronalds said.
He said all Jindi Cheese staff would remain at the production facilities in Jindivick and Bena in Gippsland, including the general manager, Alec Zurrer.
“We’ve taken the company to a certain level and we believe Menora can take it to another level. It’s all very exciting,” Mr Ronalds said.
Jindi Cheese won top honours at the World Cheese Championships in 1996, 2002 and 2004.
In total, Jindi has been awarded more than 280 Australian and international awards since the business was formed in 1985.
Menora general manager John Algeri said they were very excited about the purchase of the company that they had had such a long association with.
“It seems like the right thing to do for both companies,” Mr Algeri said.
Menora, established in 1967, employs more than 300 people nationally and is owned by the Gluck family. It is a marketing and distribution company, which builds and develops brands and merchandises and stores products.
He said the sale would bring a secure future for the company and its staff, which in turn was good for the community.
“It’s like nothing will change,” Mr Algeri said.
“The beauty about it is we’re an Australian company taking over an Australian company. We’re building the capacity of both businesses.”
Mr Ronalds said Jindi, which specialises in brie, camembert and dips, was the Ronalds’ family business, run by him and his parents, George and Bev Ronalds.
He said they still intended to go ahead with major extensions in the next 12 to 18 months and would stay on at the company for the near future.