Nestlé and Vesco Foods have signed today a 10 year licence agreement granting Vesco Foods the right to manufacture and market Lean Cuisine in Australia and New Zealand.
In August, Nestlé began exploring alternative options for Lean Cuisine after Simplot decided not to renew its licence agreement to manufacture and market the frozen meals brand.
Vesco Foods will begin manufacturing the food range from its facilities in Perth and Brisbane in the coming months.
“We are excited to partner with Nestlé on the Lean Cuisine brand in Australia and New Zealand. Vesco Foods is a focused ready meals manufacturer, with a strong track record of innovation in the category. This is a logical and important growth initiative for us and we look forward to developing and growing the Lean Cuisine brand in this region,” Vesco Foods CEO, Bernie Pummell said.
Nestlé Australia sales director Andrew Lawrey said Vesco Foods has a “strong position” in the frozen meals category and is “confident they will advance the Lean Cuisine business in the future”.
Lean Cuisine is a frozen prepared meal that is low in fat and free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Simplot Australia has manufactured and marketed Lean Cuisine under licence since 2009.
Nestlé, Vesco Foods and Simplot plan to work together to ensure a seamless transition of the Lean Cuisine brand in 2019.
