Darrell Lea is an Australian company that manufactures and distributes chocolate, liquorice and other confectionery. Its headquarters was based in Ingleburn, New South Wales. After 85 years under the ownership and control of the Lea family, the company went into voluntary administration in 2012 leading to its acquisition, sale and restructuring under new ownership.
History
Darrell Lea was in the ownership of the Lea family from its foundation by Harry Lea until the early 2010s. Harry, who was born on 15 February 1876 in Spitalfields, East End of London, migrated to Western Australia in 1888 and started making confectionery in 1917 at the back of his Manly Corso fruit shop. Lea started the first shop in New South Wales in 1927 in Sydney's Haymarket, being a combined milk bar and confectionery shop. During the Depression in 1929, a shop became vacant in Pitt Street, and in 1935 a factory was established at 1 York Street. His first almond nougat creation was called Bulgarian Rock. Monty and Harris Lea, the two middle sons of Harry, opened a manufacturing operation in Melbourne, with their first shop in Swanston Street, in 1940. Harry Lea died in 1957. Maurice Lea, Harry's eldest son, opened five shops in Brisbane in 1966 and delivered fresh stock until he retired in 1996. Robert Lea, Harris' second son, opened a shop in Adelaide in 1966. In 1968, the company was listed on the stock exchange, with Darrell as chairman and managing director, but was privatised again in 1982, with Jason Durard Lea, Monty's son, being managing director from 1983 to 1998. Darrell died in 1990, aged 62. In 1992, the Darrel Lea chocolate factory at Kogarah, New South Wales was rebuilt with modern machinery after fire town year previous.
Voluntary administration
On 10 July 2012, Darrell Lea was placed into voluntary administration due to a review of the business by its directors who had concerns about Darrell Lea's ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations. The company was reported to be losing $200,000 a week, and half of its company-run stores were closed immediately, with the loss of nearly 200 jobs.
Acquisition
On 3 September 2012, the company was acquired by the Queensland owners of VIP Petfoods, the Quinn family. The business was further restructured, with the loss of 172 casual and 246 permanent jobs, leaving only 83 Darrell Lea employees. The last company-owned stores were closed by end of business on 9 September 2012. The Quinns turned the business around after injecting about $30 million into it and building a second factory in Ingleburn. More than 500 products were cut from the product line which halved annual revenue, but stopped the ongoing losses. Darrell Lea products continued to be sold through its licensed retailer network which was expanded into IGA, Coles and Woolworths. In January 2018, Quadrant Private Equity purchased Darrell Lea from the Quinn family for about $200 million. Tony and Christina Quinn will retain a significant stake in the company.
Products
Prior to 2012, Darrell Lea's range comprised over 800 products, including chocolate boxes, sugar free products and fundraising items with 60 extra items created seasonally for Easter and Christmas. In the review conducted by the Quinn family after the restructure, the company eliminated or put on hold many of the lesser-known products to concentrate on expanding the sales and distribution of its more profitable products.
Legal battle
In April 2008, Darrell Lea won a five-year legal battle brought by rival chocolate company Cadbury over Darrell Lea's use of the colour purple on its packaging, when the Australian judge ruled that Darrell Lea was not trying to fool customers by adopting the shade.
Community involvement
Darrell Lea has sponsored a local high school in order to assist students in continuing their studies to completion, and Hydro Tasmania which only employs people with severe intellectual disability. Additionally, the company helps organisations such as the Starlight Foundation, Variety Club, and other local youth groups.
