The merger between SPC and Nature One Dairy and the Original Juice Co. was announced on Wednesday, October 2.
SPC chairman Hussein Rifai has told Country News the company intends to move the OJC operations from Mill Park into Shepparton.
The OJC company specialises in premium chilled fruit and vegetable juices for the domestic and overseas markets.
Founded in 1988, it has maintained a commitment to sourcing local fruit and producing fresh juice daily for over 30 years.
Using a mix of conventional and custom-developed equipment, OJC manufactures high-quality juices, fibres, infused fruits and fruit waters.
SPC has removed old machinery from the factory floor which has freed up space inside to accommodate the OJC production facility.
The new production line will also be able to use under utilised warehousing in Shepparton.
The merged company will be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, meaning SPC will be back in the hands of the public for the first time since it was sold to Coca-Cola Amatil in 2005.
Former Asahi Beverages Group chief executive officer and current SPC director Robert Iervasi has been appointed the managing director of the merged business, which will own and operate three business divisions, namely SPC, Original Juice Co. and Nature One Dairy.
Nature One Dairy is a Singapore registered, Australian-founded dairy company that manufactures and sells premium infant formula, nutritional formula and milk powder products.
With an established sales and marketing footprint in Australia, China and other Asia Pacific markets, products are sold under the Nature One Dairy brand.
Mr Iervasi said SPC Global was excited to be joining with OJC and Nature One Dairy and come to market with a leading food and beverage platform.
“With our market leading packaged fruit, canned tomatoes, and baked bean products, we are excited to expand with OJC both domestically and globally and see significant synergy potential in bringing the two producers together,” he said.
“The addition of Nature One Dairy also allows us to diversify and reach more consumers every day through our international channels.”
OJC chief executive officer Steven Cail said this was a transformational moment for OJC, bringing a premium portfolio of juice products and processing technology together with SPC’s iconic brands and the powdered milk business of Nature One Dairy, creating significant production capability to create a food and beverage producing market-leader.
“The strategy has always focused on setting up the business for future growth and synergies, and I am extremely excited about what the future holds for OJC,” Mr Cail said.
The combined business is expected to deliver more than $400 million of revenues and more than $29 million of EBITDA in the 2025 financial year.
Mr Rifai will be chairman of the combined group.
Mr Hussein said the transaction was a critical step in advancing the global strategy that had guided SPC since its divestment from Coca-Cola Amatil.
“This is the essential first step before executing our broader global strategy, which targets key international markets, particularly in Asia, where we see significant growth opportunities.”
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