Darrell Lea acquires Heritage Fine Chocolates in Australia

Australian chocolate manufacturer Darrell Lea Confectionery has acquired Heritage Fine Chocolates.

Financial details of the deal have not been divulged.

Darrell Lea marketing director Tim Stanford was quoted by Perth Now as saying: “Their capabilities plus the Darrell Lea brand equals a big opportunity for all of us. It’s great for us to be manufacturing in Melbourne, and there are new job opportunities coming from it.”

Lea added that the company intends to retain Heritage’s existing staff members, with plans to add 50 employment opportunities next year.

Earlier this year, Australian investment firm Quadrant Private Equity acquired a significant stake in Darrell Lea. Funding from the investment was used to acquire Heritage Fine Chocolates.

In 2012, Quinn Family bought Darrell Lea after it went into voluntary administration. Its acquired stake was sold to Quadrant Private Equity for A$200m ($159m).

Prior to 2012, Darrell Lea’s product range included more than 800 products, including chocolate boxes, sugar-free products and fundraising items, with 60 extra items created seasonally for Easter and Christmas.

Last month, Darrell Lea announced plans to open a chocolate centre of excellence in Melbourne’s south-east, marking the companies first expansion since it closed its stores n 2012.