The creation of a global super brand, Marquis Macadamias, is expected to drive growth and opportunities in macadamia production, value adding and retail for the Bundaberg Region.
Australia’s largest macadamia processors and marketers have today relaunched under the Marquis Macadamias label.
The new entity includes Bundaberg’s Pacific Gold Macadamias and companies from Lismore, Brisbane and South Africa.
The grower-owned group will consolidate its position as the world’s largest macadamia processor and marketer.
Marquis will grow, process and sell 48 per cent of Australia’s macadamia production and be responsible for 22 per cent of global kernel sales while handling more than 16 per cent of nut-in-shell world production.
Marquis Macadamias chief executive Larry McHugh said the group aimed to double turnover from $250 million in 2019 to $500 million by 2024.
“Bringing Bundaberg’s Pacific Gold Macadamias and other companies under the one brand is about consolidating our current position as the world’s largest macadamia processor and marketer,” he said.
“The addition of South Africa’s Global Macadamias will initially add 15,000 tonnes of nut-in-shell and 2500 tonnes of kernel to the group’s production, which will grow rapidly.
“It not only ensures we have access to the largest growers worldwide, it adds regional diversity to our supply chain.”
Mr McHugh said sourcing macadamias from two continents would reduce exposure to drought and other seasonal variables that affect supply.
“Currently we’re supplying wholesale nut-in-shell and kernel to the biggest macadamia markets in the world, including USA, Europe and Asia, as well as packaging kernel for a major US retailer and some of Australia’s largest retailers,” he said.
“It’s about creating a sustainable business for growers by stimulating global demand for macadamias.”
Mr McHugh said the rebranding to Marquis Macadamias would enable the group to pursue product development, product extension and value-adding opportunities globally.
“Macadamias are renowned for their buttery flavour and soft-crunch texture.
“Put macadamias into any product and it becomes a premium product,” he said.
Mr McHugh said that one of the key opportunities for Marquis Macadamias was to increase value-adding products and launch a Marquis brand for retailers.
“There is no end to the opportunities for value-adding, from flavours such as wasabi, to mixed nuts, and ingredients for cookies and ice cream,” he said.
“Over the next five years the group’s marketing arm will strengthen our push into other products and product extensions beyond macadamias.”
Marquis Macadamias will remain 100 per cent grower-owned and run, with all profits from the business flowing back to growers.
“Being grower owned is crucial to macadamias’ clean, green and premium status,” Mr McHugh said.
“It's important for us to control the process from the grower all the way to the customer to show the ‘farm-to-fork traceability’ of our nuts.”
He said that sustainability in processing was very important.
“We use every part of the macadamia nut – from husks as organic matter back into the farms, shells as fuel and stock feed to macadamia oil for use in cosmetics and cooking oils.”
Mr McHugh said Marquis Macadamias was continuing to invest in technology to meet increased supply and demand and increase its processing volumes.
“This year, we’ve already invested AU$1.5 million at our Bundaberg plant into colour sorters and grading technology.
“Over the past five years we’ve also invested AU$4 million into Napasol pasteurisation technology at both our Bundaberg and Lismore processing plants.
“Marquis is the only macadamia processor to use Napasol technology to ensure the safety and quality of our nut products and meet customer expectations particularly, in the US and EU.
“With a few additional pieces of equipment, we have plans for our Bundaberg and Lismore plants to produce 20-25,000 tonnes each per year, up from 15,000 tonnes per year per facility.
“Our processing technology has been developed and proven since 1983 and has been widely adopted across the industry,” he said.
Mayor Jack Dempsey, who attended the launch and was impressed with the new direction the company is taking, wished them a bright future in Bundaberg.
“I wish Marquis Macadamias the very best of success for the many opportunities that will be coming their way,” Mayor Dempsey said.
