History

2009   The Bidvest business model was tested by the worst economy in its 21-year history and has risen to the challenge of the “new normal”. An agreement was concluded to acquire the Nowaco Group, foodservice businesses operating in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
     
2008   R1,5 billion raised via domestic loan. Viamax acquisition concluded. Revenue exceeds R100 billion for the first time.
     
2007   Acquired 100% of Angliss, a leading foodservice wholesaler and distributor in Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Negotiations finalised to acquire Viamax Holdings. Rennies Bank renamed Bidvest Bank. Black economic empowerment partnership with Dinatla Consortium refinanced and extended for five years. A R4,5 billion domestic medium-term note programme set up.
     
2006   Acquired 100% of Netherlands foodservice company, Deli XL and a controlling stake in Horeca Trade, a small Dubai-based foodservice distributor. Concluded sale of Dartline Shipping for GBP58,9 million (R650 million) and loss-making Lithotech France. Global footprint expanded through investment to develop and operate Mumbai International Airport. Non-executive component of the board strengthened.
     
2005   Cyril Ramaphosa takes the reins as chairman. Successful buyout of Bidcorp plc minority interest. Acquisition of 20% of Tiger Wheels. G. Fox acquired.
     
2004   R2,1 billion BEE transaction for 15% of Bidvest with Dinatla finalised. McCarthy, South Africa’s second largest motor retailer, acquired for R980 million. Acquisition of minority interests of Bidvest plc.
     
2003   The Bidvest Academy, a Group training and development programme, launched. Ground-breaking black economic empowerment initiative with Dinatla Investment Holdings announced. Danel acquired and renamed Lithotech France. Small strategic foodservice acquisitions in the United Kingdom, Australian and New Zealand markets.
     
2002   Acquisition of 56,7% of LSE-listed Jacobs Holdings plc, which was renamed Bidcorp plc. Paragon acquired and merged with Lithotech. Remaining 68% of Voltex acquired to form part of the Commercial Products division. The minority shareholding in I-Fusion acquired.
     
2001   John Lewis Foodservice acquired and incorporated into Bidvest Australia, creating the leading foodservice distributor in Australia. The Group wide-area-network, Bidnet, developed by I-Fusion. mymarket.com, Bidvest’s e-commerce initiative, launched.
     
2000   Acquisition of Island View Storage. Banking licence granted to Rennies Bank and 77% of I-Fusion acquired. Bidvest plc enters the New Zealand foodservice market with the acquisition of Crean Foodservice, renamed Crean First for Foodservice.
     
1999   Booker Foodservice, renamed 3663 First for Foodservice, acquired by Bidvest plc. Acquisition of Rennies Group.
     
1998   Bidvest plc, incorporating Bidvest Australia, was created with dual listings in Australia and Luxembourg. Acquisition of Lithotech.
     
1997   100% of Waltons Group acquired, Bid Corporation unbundled and Bidvest incorporated into the JSE industrial index.
     
1996   Empowerment programmes begin with Women Investment Portfolio Holdings and Worldwide African Investment Holdings each acquiring a 5% shareholding in Bid Corporation.
     
1995   First steps to international expansion taken – 50,1% of Australian Stock Exchange-listed Manettas acquired and renamed Bidvest Australia.
     
1994   Rights offer raises R300 million, 10-for-1 share sub-division.
     
1993   Safcor Freight acquired – the start of Bidfreight. Prestige Cleaning Services acquired and grouped with Steiner to form Bidserv.
     
1992   Crown Food Holdings acquired and merged with National Spice to form Crown National.
     
1991   Acquisition of Steiner Services – beginning of the hygiene services business.
     
1990   Bid Corporation becomes the pyramid holding company of Bidvest.
     
1989   Acquisition of Afcom.
     
1988   Chipkins, the first acquisition, followed shortly thereafter by Sea World. The start of Bidfood.