Co-packer LJM is expanding into the Land of the Long White Cloud, forming a joint venture with New Zealand brand activation specialist Hoop.
In a statement, LJM said the aim of the joint venture was to become the “go-to service provider for all co-packing requirements in the New Zealand market”.
LJM employs more than 500 people across New South Wales and Victoria (including at Multipack LJM) and moves about 60m packaged products annually for national and global FMCG, food, beverages, spirits, and pharmaceuticals companies.
Lance Miles, director and founder at LJM, said LJM’s co-packing expertise, combined with Hoop’s client-facing marketing capability would be a formidable combination in New Zealand.
“There are currently no dedicated co-packing companies in this country. It is an untapped market waiting to be serviced. The joint venture will help leapfrog the businesses to become the leading co-packing specialists in New Zealand,” he said.
“This is the first time a co-packing and brand activation company has partnered on this scale, specifically servicing FMCG brands. The commercial decision to partner with Hoop was influenced by their reputation in New Zealand, a shared FMCG target market, and complimentary service offering. LJM’s size and scale will help drive the co-packing market in New Zealand.”
Chris Hood, director at Hoop said the co-packing industry in New Zealand is fragmented.
“There is a huge gap in the market for a dedicated co-packer to enter and drive the industry forward. LJM’s strong co-packing track record, size, intellectual property, and technology combined with Hoop’s marketing and promotional capabilities are expected to be embraced by FMCG brands,” he said.
Hood said there is an evolving need for global brands to rework their stock packing to conform with local regularities and consumer information.
“Speed to market with full compliance of stock filled displays is a void the new partnership will fill,” he said.
“Hoop currently has a national field team of more than 350 brand activators and a promotional logistics division. The LJM/Hoop partnership will be able to pre-build stock into displays and the national activator team will support the install and compliance process on the shop floor. A full-service circle of promotional activation will be provided.”
LJM services blue-chip manufacturers, multinational FMCG companies, local manufacturers and brand custodians. The company says it handles all types of FMCG products, servicing markets that include Australia, China, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, New Zealand, South East Asia, the UK and the US.
