Simplot has taken three sauce brands from Symington’s Australia in a bid to boost its position in the pasta sauce category.
The Australian food manufacturer, who already owns the Leggo brand, is now in charge of Chicken Tonight, Raguletto, and Five Brothers brands.
Simplot Australia MD Terry O’Brien said the purchase of Chicken Tonight would also deliver growth in the simmer sauce category of wet cooking sauces.
The three brands, which Symington’s Australia took control of in early 2013 through a licensing deal with Unilever, are currently produced at Unilever’s factory in Tatura, Victoria.
Symington’s had already licensed and subsequently acquired Chicken Tonight and Ragu from Unilever UK in August 2011.
Simplot will work with Symington’s management to transition the products into Simplot’s system and processes over the coming month.
