Peanut Company of Australia sale : A heritage-listed Queensland landmark has been spared from corporate shutdown following a last-minute deal to rescue the struggling business.
A South Burnett icon has returned to local ownership, as a fourth-generation family business has reached an agreement to take over the Peanut Company of Australia (PCA) facilities in Kingaroy and Tolga.
This week, Bega Group announced it had sold the land, buildings, and equipment of its struggling PCA subsidiary to the Kingaroy-based Crumpton Group, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the future of the century-old operation northwest of Brisbane.
Bega’s CEO, Pete Findlay, described the sale as the best possible outcome for both the community and the industry.
Although our preference was always to sell the Peanut Company of Australia as a whole, we are pleased that the Kingaroy and Tolga assets will stay in local hands,” Mr. Findlay said.
He also confirmed that redundancy packages would still be provided, but up to 30 new positions had been identified in cooperation with Crumptons to support staff in transitioning to the new operation.
We will continue offering redeployment training and assistance, including a job fair to be held in Kingaroy,” Mr. Findlay added.
Bega Sells Peanut Company of Australia Sites to Local Crumpton Group
The family-run Crumpton Group has been closely associated with peanuts for generations, providing the Australian market with locally grown, shelled, and roasted peanut products.
Sonie Crumpton stated that the deal was focused on protecting the future of growers.
By acquiring these assets, we can more effectively support Australian peanut growers across all regions in the years ahead,” he said.
Heritage-Listed Queensland Landmark Saved from Closure
We will soon begin discussions with peanut growers about the upcoming season.
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff welcomed the announcement, commending the decision to keep the facilities under local ownership.
“I’m pleased that the Kingaroy plant will be taken over by a local company with industry expertise and that some local jobs will be preserved,” Ms. Duff said.
They have assured me they plan to utilize several of the assets at the Kingaroy site and maintain the facility along with the heritage-listed silos.
This move will help secure a future for North Queensland peanut growers, while ensuring that our local growers continue to benefit from a strong, iconic, and valuable peanut industry.”
Queensland Attorney-General and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington also described the announcement as “great news for our region.”
Crumptons will assume control of the Tolga site in December, aligning with the North Queensland peanut harvest, while the Kingaroy plant will remain under Bega’s management until June 2026, when it will officially transition to the new owners.
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