Connell goes local in Australia and New Zealand

Last week, Connell expanded food formulation services for its customers and suppliers in Australia and New Zealand with the opening of the food application facility located in Sydney. 

The new facility comes after Connell Brothers announced in March a new partnership with BASF for food ingredient distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

According to the company, with the facility, its food technicians will be able to assist its customers in the formulation and development of baked goods and desserts with the new facility.

Baked goods, desserts…​

A spokesperson for the company told FoodNavigator-Asia that baked goods and desserts are the greatest areas of strength for Connell and the facility will initially focus on these applications.

 “We are also working in beverage, cereals and confectionary and anticipate increasing our position in these sub segments, as well as developing into the small goods and dairy sectors,”​ she said.

Connell Brothers also has food ingredient application facilities in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand that service customers in each region, but the company decided against using them to service the southern hemisphere.

“Our company takes a localised approach to serving our customers. We can better serve specific market needs by using food technologists, marketing and sales staff that know the region and current market trends specific to Australia and New Zealand,”​ she said.

“So, this facility will help us address our customers’ needs for localised commercial and technical support.  In addition, many of our suppliers would like to expand their market reach into this region,”​ she added.

Lucrative​

Currently Connell's food technologist manages the facility and the company expects to further resource it with additional equipment and people as it becomes more operational.

“Australia and New Zealand are lucrative markets for food ingredient distribution.  Over the next few years, we plan to grow our staffing, geographical presence, and technical capabilities in the region,”​ she signed off.