Jindi buyout

By Sarah Schwager
JINDI Cheese will remain in Gippsland along with its staff after it was bought by a Springvale company.
The sale of the company to Menora Foods was announced on Monday after negotiations were finalised last week.
Former Jindi Cheese managing director Andrew Ronalds said the company was excited about the sale.
He said the two companies had worked together for the past 18 years and that Menora had helped increase sales by introducing the foods into Coles, Safeway and BiLo.
“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 the same staff would be staying 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, officially making Jindi the world’s best cheese maker.
In total, Jindi has accumulated more than 280 Australian and international awards since the business was formed in 1985.
Menora general manager John Algeri said staff were very excited about the purchase of the company.
“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 privately owned by the Gluck family.
The company operates as a marketing and distribution company which builds and develops brands.
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 run by him and his parents, George and Bev Ronalds.
He said the family still intended to go ahead with major extensions over the next 12 to 18 months and would stay on at the company for the near future.