Friday, March 29, 2024

A2 to launch products in US market

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The The a2 Milk Company™ is planning to expand its operations into the US market. This new venture coincides with the company listing on the ASX which is expected to broaden investor participation and improve access to capital markets over time.
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The a2 Milk Company™ (a2MC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has been admitted to the Official List of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and that its ordinary shares will commence trading on the ASX today. This is another significant milestone after seven years of strong growth in the Australian market.

The ASX listing coincides with a major strategic initiative by the Company – the launch of a2 Milk™ in the United States, with a range of half-gallon fresh milk cartons launching into supermarkets and natural products grocers in California from mid-April.

Managing Director Geoffrey Babidge says the market reception from pre-launch activity in the United States has been positive, with a successful showing in March at the world’s largest natural, organic and healthy product expo in Anaheim, California.

The Company has appointed Jeffrey O’Neill as Chief Executive of its wholly-owned business in the USA. Mr O’Neill has an extensive senior leadership background with over 30 years’ experience in brand marketing, sales and strategic planning in Canada and the United States. Jeff’s prior roles include President and CEO for Pepsi-Cola Canada, President and CEO for Priszm/YUM brands Canada and more recently President and CEO for The Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, a publically traded restaurant chain with over 800 restaurants throughout the USA.

Mr Babidge says “The a2 Milk Company™ is in the business of pioneering a2 Milk™ and making its unique premium milk products available in a number of attractive international markets. Today’s ASX listing is another step in our strategic journey to achieve this goal.”

Mr Babidge says the ASX listing will provide a number of benefits to the Company and its shareholders. “Our Australian operations are the most significant component of our current business, continuing to deliver strong profit and revenue growth. The ASX listing, in conjunction with the listing on the Main Board of the New Zealand Securities Exchange, provides a closer alignment between our capital markets profile and our current business. It should also provide for broader investor participation and improved access to capital markets over time.”

As previously announced, the ASX listing also coincides with changes in the Company’s Board which took effect from 30 March 2015. These changes involved Cliff Cook and David Mair stepping down as directors, David Hearn replacing Mr Cook as Chairman and Julia Hoare being appointed Deputy Chairman. The Board has expressed its appreciation for the substantial contribution made by the retiring directors in leading the evolution and growth of the Company, in particular Mr Cook who has been a driving force as Chairman since 2004.

"In my opinion, The a2 Milk Company is not like any other dairy company in the world"

David Hearn

Chairman a2 Milk Company 

Mr Hearn brings a wealth of experience in a broad spectrum of grocery goods businesses in Australasia, the UK and the USA. Mr Hearn says “In my opinion, The a2 Milk Company is not like any other dairy company in the world and I am delighted to partner with the Board and executive team to continue to develop the business to realise its potential.”

The a2 Milk Company will trade on the ASX under the ticker code "A2M". The ticker code for trading in a2MC shares on the NZX remains "ATM". 
The ASX listing does not affect the NZX listing and has not involved the raising of any new capital. 
Official quotation of a2MC's securities on the ASX will commence at 2:15pm New Zealand time (12:15pm A.E.D.T) on 31 March 2015.

About: 
About the a2 Milk™ brand? 
– a2 Milk™ is naturally occurring cows’ milk that comes from cows selected to produce only the A2 beta-casein protein and not the A1 protein. It is an entirely natural and pure cows’ milk and not a product of technological process or genetic engineering 
– Originally all domesticated cows produced only the A2 beta-casein type protein. Owing to a genetic mutation in European herds, another milk protein emerged (A1 protein) and through modern farming practices spread throughout the world 
– The a2 Milk™ brand is the only cows’ milk in Australia that is completely free from the A1 protein

About The a2 Milk Company™ 
– The a2 Milk Company™ is building a global business based on a differentiated, premium and branded portfolio of dairy and infant formula products supported by an integrated portfolio of intellectual property and a developing body of scientific evidence 
– The a2 Milk Company™ believes as many people as possible should be able to enjoy the benefits of fresh and natural dairy and are providing a positive alternative to those who find consumption of regular cows' milk challenging 
– Since the acceleration of growth for the a2 Milk™ brand in the Australian market, milk consumption has been growing steadily in both volume and value. In other western countries (such as the UK and the USA) the reverse has been occurring with cows’ milk consumption declining rapidly 
– The a2 Milk Company™ has long-standing commercial relationships with Australian farmers, large and small and a number of independent dairy processors across Australia 
– The a2 Milk Company™ has a significant and differentiated premium dairy business in Australia and more recently has established operations in China, the UK and soon to launch into the USA 
– The a2 Milk Company Limited is dual listed on the NZX and ASX and trades under the codes ATM and A2M respectively.

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