Foodstuffs North Island, the owner of the Gilmours brand, has acquired leading wholesale butchery business JR Wholesale Meats, taking a significant step towards its goal of becoming the preferred foodservice partner for New Zealand businesses.
The acquisition strengthens Gilmours’ butchery capability, which is central to its strategy of offering everything B2B customers need, both in-store and online.
“The foodservice market is changing fast, and customer expectations are higher than ever,” said Cindy Chaimowitz, Foodstuffs North Island General Manager, Wholesale and Customer Services.
“Acquiring JR Wholesale Meats allows us to deliver tailored meat cuts, competitive pricing, and reliable supply – all absolute priorities for our wholesale customers.”
JR Wholesale Meats achieved substantial expansion during and after the pandemic, scaling rapidly to meet increased demand from retail and foodservice customers.
The acquisition brings this specialist expertise into the Gilmours network, expanding capacity and enhancing the quality, consistency and innovation of its butchery offering.
“This is a positive step forward for JR Wholesale Meats and our customers," said Stan Murphy, Managing Director of JR Wholesale Meats.
"We’re excited about the opportunities to deliver a stronger, more integrated offering, backed by the same dedicated team and trusted service our customers know.”
The acquisition supports a vertically integrated butchery model, positioning Gilmours better to meet the needs of both existing and future customers. It enables greater consistency, innovation, and value across the meat range, reinforcing Gilmours’ long-term commitment to quality, convenience, and competitive solutions.
There will be no immediate changes for JR Wholesale Meats’ suppliers or customers as the integration begins. Both businesses remain focused on ensuring a smooth transition.
“We’re committed to a transition that’s straightforward and genuinely adds value for our partners. We’ll keep everyone well-informed as we move through the process," added Murphy.
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