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Darrell Lea

OVERALL

Owned
AUS
Rating
Some praise, no criticism

Confectionery manufacturer

Established in 1927 and privately owned by the Lea family until getting into financial trouble in 2012 and being acquired by the Quinn family. In 2018 Quadrant Private Equity bought a majority stake for $200m. The Quinn family also sold a majority stake in its VIP Petfoods business in 2015 to Quadrant. Darrell Lea acquired the Life Savers brand from Nestle in 2018, acquiring the rights to the lolly in Australia and New Zealand.

Company Ownership

Darrell Lea Confectionery Co Pty Ltd   AUS     website   email   facebook   
  Rite Bite Group Pty Ltd   
   owns 85% of Darrell Lea Confectionery Co Pty Ltd  
AUS     website         

Snack foods

Established in 2019 when Australian private equity firm Quadrant, who bought Darrell Lea Chocolates in 2018, acquired another eight snack brands.

      Quadrant Private Equity Pty Ltd   
       owns 100% of Rite Bite Group Pty Ltd  
AUS     website   email      

Private equity firm

Sydney-based mid-market private equity firm established in 1996 and investing in companies in Australia and New Zealand. Former investments include VIP Pet Foods, Burson Auto Parts and Red Rooster. Formed the RiteBite Group in 2019 after acquiring Darrell Lea and another 8 snack brands.

  Quinn Foods Pty Ltd   
   owns 15% of Darrell Lea Confectionery Co Pty Ltd  
AUS              

Pet food and confectionery manufacturer

Owned by the Quinn family, who previously owned VIP Petfoods and Darrell Lea before selling them both to Quadrant Private Equity in 2015 and 2018 respectively. The Quinns also own a string of businesses in Australia and New Zealand, including motor racing complexes.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Darrell Lea Confectionery Co Pty Ltd
Social 100% sustainable cocoa
This company works with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation to purchase 100% of their cocoa raw materials sustainably. Cocoa Horizons is Barry Callebaut's in-house sustainability program, which is aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa farmers through farm and community level activities.
Source: Cocoa Horizons (2020)
Environment Palm oil free
This company has committed to removing palm oil from its entire product range by Nov 2020.
Source: news article (2020)
Social Sustainable cocoa commitment
For 9 years Darrell Lea avoided repeated attempts by Stop the Traffik Australia (now Be Slavery Free) to discuss using cocoa certified as free of trafficked and forced labour in its chocolate products. In 2018 Darrell Lea finally announced they would source 100% of their cocoa through Barry Callebaut's Cocoa Horizon sustainability program, which is aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa farmers through farm and community level activities.
Source: Be Slavery Free (2020)
Rite Bite Group Pty Ltd
Environment 3/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 3 (Advanced) in its 2022 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2022)
Environment Palm oil free products
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's chocolate products are palm oil free. For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
Source: BOS Australia (2020)
Business Ethics Non-GMO products in USA
This company's Smooze products have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
Source: Non-GMO Project (2021)
Quadrant Private Equity Pty Ltd
Social Underpaying workers
Quadrant owned Rockpool Dining Group, a giant in the hospitality and dining scene, has been accused of "one of the most egregious cases of wage theft Australia has seen yet" by a law firm alleging the company has underpaid its workers at least $10 million.
Source: news article (2019)
Business Ethics Previous investment in gambling
Quadrant bought a large stake in Independent Pub Group in 2007, which owned several hotels, including gaming venues. Quadrant has since sold its stake in the hotel group.
Source: company website (2019)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Private company
Founded 1927
Revenue 81 million AUD (2017)
Employees 80 (2017)
Aus Manufacturing Yes

Contact Details

Address 3 Brooks Rd, Ingleburn, NSW, 2565, Australia
Phone 02 9529 3366
Email sayhey@dlea.com.au
Website www.dlea.com.au

Products / Brands

Darrell Lea
Darrell Lea Chocolate
Darrell Lea Sweets & Lollies
Heritage Fine Chocolates Chocolate
Life Savers Sweets & Lollies
Ricci Sweets & Lollies


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