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Thomas Foods eyes expansion after rebranding Holco subsidiary

Darren Thomas CEO Thomas Foods
Darren Thomas, CEO of Thomas Foods.
Darren Thomas CEO Thomas Foods
Darren Thomas, CEO of Thomas Foods.

Thomas Foods International is set to expand its national reach after rebranding subsidiaries Holco and Country Fresh under the family-owned parent’s name. 

The South Australia-based wholesale and foodservice business, which specialises in meats, smallgoods and produce, will relocate its Queensland operations into a larger facility next month coinciding with the rebranding, which will first be evident across its delivery fleet. 

“Holco and Country Fresh have enjoyed a long and successful history within the industry,” said Thomas Foods CEO Darren Thomas. “While we want to continue to grow the business now under the single Thomas Foods brand we remain focussed on providing a high level of personal service and sticking to our family values.”

Holco, founded in 1955, is one of Australia’s largest suppliers of Australian meat, including beef, pork, chicken, smallgoods and kangaroo, with operations in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne and Coffs Harbour. Thomas Foods acquired a 50-per-cent stake in Holco back in 2012 – and with it the Country Fresh brand – buying the remaining share in 2018. 

Thomas said the company sees a positive future and strong growth potential within the wholesale and food service sectors across Australia. It currently has facilities in SA, Victoria, Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory.

The new Queensland premises, at Lytton Road, Morningside, are five times the size of the previous location, at 2300sqm. 

Thomas Foods GM commercial, Simon Tamke, said the move followed a similar expansion in scale in Victoria last year.

“We supply a range of products to restaurants, hotels, function centres and resorts right across Australia with our wholesale division servicing butchers and supermarkets. Earlier this year we also expanded our online ordering platform in South Australia and Victoria (thomasfarms.com.au) allowing more consumers to enjoy our high quality meat direct at home.

“The past months have reaffirmed to us the high value local venues place on having a reliable supply of high quality Australian meat produce.”

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