By Julius Ewudo, Cyber Era NG ASEAN Region Representative
A division of the certification, training and standards organisation, Afnor Groupe, has announced the acquisition of the HACCP Group companies based in Australia, comprising HACCP Australia, the food safety and technology company, and HACCP International, the food-safe product certification body, Cyber Era NG learns.
We gather the acquisition of the two companies will see AFNOR International extend its growth in the Australasian and Pacific region, complementing its already extensive global network and scope. It also serves to give HACCP International further reach in Europe which has become an increasingly important market in recent years.
HACCP Australia, based in North Sydney, began operating in 1999 and has, over the intervening years become a major player in the Australian food safety market with substantial wealth in terms of food scientists and industrial food safety experience. Its customer base includes food production companies, government, caterers, retailers and insurance underwriters.
HACCP International is a JASANZ accredited product certification body specialising in food safe materials, products and services used in the food industry. Certified products are confirmed as being food safe and suitable for use in food handling and processing. The company has a significant international footprint with customers in 42 countries.
HACCP Australia and HACCP International were founded by Clive Withinshaw and Martin Stone. Both companies have grown to become highly trusted food safety partners and certifiers of businesses and products sold by many of the world’s best-known companies. Clive Withinshaw, Managing Director, HACCP International, said, ‘the timing of this was right on many levels. Joining with Afnor, one of the world’s most respected certification organisations, brings great opportunities for the business and the staff as well as further benefits for the food industry and the businesses that support it’.
Managing Director HACCP Australia, Martin Stone added ‘we are looking forward to realising this market potential with our new partner, Afnor International. The technical resources that Afnor brings will be of huge benefit both here in Australia and overseas.’
Managing Director of AFNOR International Ms. Myriam Augereau-Landais says “The people, products and services offered by our Australian partners will integrate perfectly into the AFNOR International business and provide exciting opportunities in many areas”.
