Freshmax
David Smith
Managing Director
Freshmax is a full service, vertically integrated business with a co-ordinated range of fresh fruit and vegetable service operations including:
- Domestic marketing to wholesalers and major supermarkets in Australia and New Zealand;
- International marketing to global customers in Europe, Asia and the Americas;
- Ripening, fresh-cutting and pre-packing activities in Australia and New Zealand; and
- End to end trans-Tasman cool chain logistics management including retail warehousing and distribution.
Since Wolseley invested in 2006, Freshmax has acquired three Australian businesses in John Holman & Co, Panda Ranch and Oztaste. The owners and management teams of each acquisition remain shareholders alongside Freshmax management and Wolseley. Now fully integrated, the business has national coverage in Australia and New Zealand.
CEO David Smith is a highly experienced and successful global fresh produce executive. David was Initially New Zealand Country Manager, then appointed to Australia Country Manager of Chiquita Brands South Pacific immediately before returning to New Zealand in 1995 to head ENZA Fresh/Frucor Produce. In 1997 a management consorttium, of which David was a founding member, bought out Frucor Produce to form Freshmax. With a world-class portfolio of Plant Variety Rights, Freshmax is focused on leading key categories including bananas, apples, citrus, stonefruit, avocados and melons. In addition, long term supply partnerships in Australia, New Zealand and internationally guarantee year round supply of the highest quality, often exclusive produce to customers.
Wolseley Private Equity is currently represented on the Board of Freshmax by James Todd (Chairman), Brendan Hill (Director), and Richard Burrows (Alternate Director).
