LaManna Group (LMG) and Premier Fruits Group (PFG), Australian suppliers of fresh fruit and vegetables, announced a merger between the two groups, commencing in July.

The merger was a natural extension of the 10-year joint venture relationship between LMG and PFG through Fresh Choice W.A. in Western Australia, says Brian Gargiulo, chairman of the combined group.

“LaManna Group and Premier Fruits Group have been very successful joint venture partners for over a decade in WA, and the decision to merge our Australian operations reflects the deep mutual trust and effective working relationship between the two partners,” he adds. “The new company will retain the well-known brands that our growers and customers identify with, and we will continue to invest in those brands to provide better service outcomes for all trade partners in the future.”

The merger of the two companies will also create a stronger, more sustainable company, capable of significant future growth, which will benefit its growers, customers and employees, says Anthony Di Pietro, chief executive of the combined group.

“We will have a diverse production capacity across all states, and look to support and invest with our growers to achieve more resilient production capacity, productivity initiatives and new varieties,” he adds. “The combined businesses will benefit from significant scale benefits and a more efficient supply chain to better service our customers.”