Weis looking to take on world with new owner

Incitec Pivot targets US

INCITEC Pivot has tapped a US-born former BP executive to be its new managing director as it looks to America rather than Australia for growth opportunities.

The explosives, chemicals and fertiliser maker yesterday said Jeanne Johns, a chemical engineer who spent more than 25 years at energy major BP, would take the helm at the Melbourne-based company.

Ms Johns will become Incitec Pivot’s first female managing director when she replaces James Fazzino in November.

She has held senior roles in BP’s gas, refining and petrochemicals and safety divisions. COULD Queensland’s homegrown Weis ice cream bar be about to knock the Paddlepop Lion off his throne?

Food giant Unilever yesterday said it was purchasing the 60-year-old Toowoomba company famous for its iconic fruit-based ice cream bars for an undisclosed sum. Industry sources said the price tag could be as high as $50 million.

The multinational that also owns Bushells and Paddlepop said Weis would continue to make ice cream from its Toowoomba factory using the expertise of its 85 staff.

Unilever also vowed to give Weis a higher profile in supermarkets and convenience stores using its global distribution network. Weis joins a long list of iconic Australian brands now in foreign hands including Arnotts, Golden Circle and Bushells.

Weis managing director Julie Weis was confident Unilever could make the company founded by her father Les in 1957 a global brand. Ms Weis said the company had in recent years invested in new equipment to double capacity and open up export markets.

Crucial to the deal was the guarantee Unilever would keep manufacturing in Toowoomba and keep local jobs.