Margaret River Dairy Company closing its doors after failed sale

The Margaret River Dairy Company is closing its doors on more than half-a-century of history after a failed sale process by its Chinese-owned parent. Staff and customers have been told the award-winning but loss-making business, which has employed up to 40 workers over the years, would make last deliveries from its Metricup factory, between Margaret River and Busselton, on Thursday before closing permanently on Friday. Margaret River Dairy Co is operated by major Sydney-based food supplier Manassen Foods, which in turn is owned by China’s Bright Foods. Manassen did not respond to several requests for comment on Sunday. However, in an email seen by thewest.com.au, general manager Matt Boys told customers that Manassen had been unable to find a buyer willing to take on the MRDC. The decision, Mr Boys said, had no impact on Manassen’s other WA dairy business, 49-year-old yoghurt maker Mundella. “After an extensive search to find a new owner of the WA dairy businesses, it is with much sadness that I announce that unfortunately we have been unsuccessful in finding a buyer who can take on the MRDC business as a going concern for the future,” he said. “The decision to close the site was a very difficult one. “However, the business has been unprofitable for many years, despite significant efforts to improve sales and financial performance.” MRDC produces a range of yoghurts and cheeses for retail and wholesale customers, tracing its roots back to 1966 when a group of Italian artisan cheesemakers begin selling their farmhouse and ricotta cheeses from a small shop in suburban Perth, mainly for the Italian community. In 1990, now known as Fonti Farm Cheese, the business moved to just north of Cowaramup to be closer to the rich soils and rolling green pastures loved by dairy cattle. It combined with Margaret River Cheese Company, founded in 1991, four years later. Manassen bought the merged business in 2000, renaming it the Margaret River Dairy Company. Bright acquired Manassen 11 years later. Destroyed by fire in late-2012, the MRDC factory was rebuilt over 18 months with modern plant and increased production capacity. In his email, Mr Boys thanked MRDC’s staff and customers for their support over the past few tough years. “It has been a very challenging time for the business as we have dealt with COVID closures and impacts, as well as a potential business sale process that has been ongoing for over 12 months,” he said. Manassen, Mr Boys said, would support the affect employees “in line with our obligations and in according with our company values”.