A popular food company that supplies meals to Woolworths, Coles and IGA has gone bust, leaving an estimated 500 jobs in jeopardy.
National food manufacturing business HS Fresh Food is described as a “leading player in the food industry” and supplies ready-made foods and salads to supermarkets and retailers.
The four businesses that made up the HS Fresh Food — HS Fresh Food Pty Ltd, HS Fresh Food Holding Pty Ltd, HS Fresh Farms Pty Ltd and HS Salads Pty Ltd — appointed administrators late last week.
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The company has several well-known brands in its portfolio, including Houston’s Farm, Sunfresh and Gourmet Selections.
Its headquarters are in Tasmania, and the food group has operations in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. The company’s Linkedin profile says it has at least 500 staff working for it.
The insolvency appointment was filed with ASIC on Monday.
Ben Campbell, Joanne Dunn and Vaughan Strawbridge, of FTI Consulting, have been appointed as administrators.
The restructuring firm described the company as having “one of the broadest sets of growing and processing capabilities within the fresh food sector”.
FTI Consulting is now looking to restructure or sell HS Fresh Food.
Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said: “We are working with HS Fresh Food Group’s management team and staff, and other stakeholders to continue operations while we secure the future of the business.
“A sale process for the business and assets of the HS Fresh Food Group was undertaken and in advanced stages at the time our appointment.
“We intend to continue this process, whilst exploring all available options, and are confident of completing a sale and/or recapitalisation of the business in an expedited timeframe with the support of all relevant stakeholders.”
