Mainland (cheese)

{{short description|New Zealand cheese brand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2015}}

{{Infobox brand

| name = Mainland Cheese

| logo = Mainland cheese logo.png

| caption = The logo used for Mainland Cheese

| producttype = Cheddar cheese

| introduced = 1954

| country = New Zealand

| markets = Worldwide

| currentowner = Fonterra Co-operative Group

| website = {{url|https://www.mainland.co.nz}}

}}

Mainland Cheese is a brand of cheese owned by Fonterra Co-operative Group that is sold throughout Australasia and parts of the Americas. It began as a family business in the South Island of New Zealand (which is jocularly known as the "mainland" of New Zealand because it is larger than the North Island).

Company history

Mainland Products Ltd was founded in 1954 by Peter McConnon.{{cite news |last1=Sherwood |first1=Sam |title=Former Mainland Products owner Alan McConnon dies after crash |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/73558018/ |accessdate=7 June 2019 |work=Stuff |date=31 October 2015}} It grew rapidly, encompassing fresh and processed milk, cheese (with which the company's name is most associated today) as well as ice cream (Tip Top), processed meats (Kiwi Huttons) and other consumer foods. Kiwi Co-operative Dairies led by CEO Craig Norgate acquired 83% of the business in the 1990s. The balance was acquired by Fonterra (formed by a 2001 merger which included Kiwi Co-op), also led by Norgate, in 2002.

In 2005, Fonterra sold most of the business that was formerly part of Mainland to Graeme Hart's Rank Group Ltd,{{cite news |title=Anchor brand to return to Fonterra product range |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10339704 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=8 August 2005 |accessdate=13 February 2011}} but it retained all the cheese assets. Mainland cheese now comes under Fonterra Brands. The balance of the former Mainland company is now part of Goodman Fielder. Mainland remained a family owned and operated business, with Peter's sons Baird and Alan along with grandson Simon McConnon, until its sale to Fonterra.

On 11 November 2024, Fonterra confirmed that it would be selling several of its consumer brands including Mainland.{{cite news |last1=Beckford |first1=Gyles |title=Fonterra pushes ahead with sale of Anchor, Mainland brands |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/533434/fonterra-pushes-ahead-with-sale-of-anchor-mainland-brands |access-date=19 January 2025|work=RNZ |date=11 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111005720/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/533434/fonterra-pushes-ahead-with-sale-of-anchor-mainland-brands |archive-date=11 November 2024}}

Advertising

Mainland established an iconic advertising campaign."[http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2005/mainland-cheese/ Mainland Cheese Cheesemakers on TV]", The Inspiration Room Daily blog (26 October 2005). Mainland's advertising in New Zealand has been largely focused on the theme of waiting/patience, mirroring the aging process of cheese.

Mainland's advertising in Australia has been largely focused on playing on the New Zealand accent. For example, "your frind in the frudge" (your friend in the fridge), and confusing the sound of "cheese day" with "Tuesday".

See also

References

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