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Pro-Pac Packaging’s $30m rights issue has set the company back on an even keel, with operating cash flows set to return to a more normal operating level for the next quarter.

The company expects to come out of its trading halt later this month. As at 31 December, Pro-Pac had cash on hand of $3.1m and unused facilities of $19.5m.

The rights issue has been used to bring trade creditors in line with trading terms. This was partially offset by positive working capital realisation from an inventory reduction programme and collections in trade debtors.

The group’s finance facilities now comprise a $30m debtor facility from ScotPac, a $9m ANZ bank overdraft, and a $4.1m standby credit arrangement with ANZ. Of the $43.1m available Pro-Pac has drawn down $32.5m leaving $19.5m undrawn.

Its second quarter revenue of $91.5m was down on first quarter of $94m, with the industrial segment 14 per cent lower as the Source & Sell business was exited, which represented $2.2m of the first quarter revenue. The industrial segment was also impacted by shipping delays from China, but the company expects to recover these revenue shortfalls in the third quarter.

Food & Drink Business

Ingredients company, Hawkins Watts says its acquisition of Queensland-based flavour and ingredient distributor, Taste Rite Agencies, will create growth opportunities and streamlined operations. Taste Rite began in 1995 and more recently has been working as a sub-distributor for Hawkins Watts.

Beston Global Food Company and its subsidiary, Beston Pure Dairies, will undergo “an orderly wind down with milk production operations to cease from 6th December 2024”, its voluntary administrator, KPMG announced on 26 November.

Marketing and communications agency, Bastion, has created a new branch of the business focused on the beverage sector, with a goal to enhance brand experiences, particularly at major events.