12 Dec 2006
FISKE APPOINTED EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTOR FOR FONTERRA
Fiske, the Univar food ingredient brand, has been appointed the exclusive pan-European distributor for Fonterra, one of the worlds’ leading dairy ingredients companies. Rolling out across Europe from 1 January 2007, the agreement covers 25 countries and includes Fonterra’s entire range of added-value dairy proteins. The addition of dairy proteins to Fiske’s portfolio offers significant benefits to the two company’s customers. As well as providing access to a wider range of ingredients from a single source, Fiske will offer an efficient and professional multi national logistics service combined with an experienced technical support service. Fonterra will continue to supply and service its larger customers directly, while taking advantange of the additional market reach and penetration that Fiske will provide.
“We are delighted to have been chosen by Fonterra” comments Neil Blackburn, Fiske’s European brand director. “As part of our on going strategic review, we identified dairy protein ingredients as a prime target for future growth. We’re very pleased to have successfully achieved this goal through a pan-European partnership with a world leader in dairy ingredients. This is a positive development for customers wanting to access a wider range of high quality ingredients irrespective of where they are in Europe. Whether our customers’ requirements are small or large, we believe everyone will benefit.”
With an established portfolio of products including modified and native starches, enzymes, acidulants, colours, preservatives and hydrocolloids, Fiske’s agreement with Fonterra consolidates the company’s position as one of Europe’s leading food ingredients distributors. The distribution agreement covers the EU 25 countries (except Italy and Greece), as well as Norway and Switzerland, embracing Fonterra’s complete range of dairy protein ingredients, including whey protein concentrates (WPC), Casein & Caseinates, milk protein concentrates (MPC), protein blends. The deal also covers Fonterra’s range of specialist health and nutrition ingredients, including proprietary products.
Peter Landon-Lane, Fonterra Europe’s General Manager comments: “A review of how best to service our customer base in Europe identified the need to work together with one dedicated, professional and highly resourced international food ingredients distributor. One of the critical success factors for Fonterra was eliminating complexity and achieving scale efficiencies in the supply chain and Fiske impressed us with their commitment to achieving this goal. With a comprehensive network of dedicated and local distribution facilities across Europe linked to Fonterra’s import and distribution centre in Hamburg, Fiske will enable us to provide our customers with a faster and more efficient service as well as access to a wider range of high quality food ingredients and technical support – all through one single delivery point.”
John Phillpotts, President, Univar Europe, said; “This agreement is yet another demonstration of Univar’s commitment to the food industry, and our ambitions to be the European leader in food ingredients distribution. This is an exciting time for our customers who can now look forward to receiving a personal service with global back up to meet their individual needs. Our agreement with Fonterra is without doubt a milestone in the evolution of our business and paves the way for continued growth of the Univar food ingredient brand in the future ”.
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Notes for editors
Fiske, is the European distribution brand for Univar’s food ingredients and additives business. Distributing over 2000 quality ingredients, supplied by over 100 leading global manufacturers, Fiske integrates responsive and efficient delivery with technical support, sales and marketing – making it a ‘one stop shop’ for the European food manufacturing industry. www.fiskefood.com
Formed in October 2001, following the merger of the New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies, Fonterra is a co-operative owned by more than 12,000 dairy farmers. The company has an annual turnover of NZ$11.8 billion, assets of NZ$11.1 billion and shareholders’ equity of NZ$4.8 billion. Fonterra generates 20 percent of New Zealand’s export receipts.
One of the top ten dairy companies in the world, Fonterra is the leading exporter of dairy products and is responsible for over a third of international dairy trade. New Zealand dairy farmers have long been renowned for producing quality milk more efficiently than anyone else in the world. Today New Zealand is a world leader in large-scale milk procurement and processing. www.fonterra.com