The acquisition of New Zealand potato products maker Mr Chips has moved a step closer after more investors accepted in principle the terms of Simplot Australia’s imminent takeover bid.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Simplot has reportedly struck deals with Balle Bros and Jon Davison, giving the food manufacturer 70.87% of Mr Chips shares on a conditional basis.


Balle holds a 15.48% stake while Davison holds 0.72% of the company.


According to the New Zealand Herald, the agreements commit both parties to accepting an offer at or above NZ$2.90 (US$2.19) a share


As just-food went to press, Mr Chips shares were trading on the New Zealand stock exchange at $2.60 per share.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Additionally, both parties have reportedly also agreed to take up shares in the as-yet unnamed Simplot subsidiary that will make the offer.


Simplot has indicated that it intends to only hold around 60% of Mr Chips, with institutional shareholders taking up the remaining 40% of the Simplot subsidiary.


Simplot had previously reached similar agreements with majority stakeholder Sinclair Long Term Holdings and institutional shareholder Anglesea Consulting.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact