About

Frew Foods International is located in Stawell, 2½ hours west of Melbourne, and 6 hours east of Adelaide along the Western Highway.

Stawell is positioned in the Northern Grampians/Wimmera regions, synonymous with sheep and grain.

The late Archie Frew purchased this facility in 1984 from predecessor Max Holmes, who founded the operation back in 1965.

In 1999, son Robert Frew took over management, growing the facility into Stawell’s largest employer, with 500 staff, and processing 6000 lamb, mutton and goats per shift.

The purchase of the Frew family business by Thomas Foods International in 2020, has opened up new opportunities for Frew Foods International.

Thomas Foods International is a South Australian family owned business, headed by Darren Thomas, which commenced under his father, Chris Thomas in 1988.

Since then, the business has grown into a large multi-national company, with an annual turnover of more than $2 billion.

The merger of two Australian family businesses has already started to blossom for the Stawell facility.

Thomas Foods International will invest over $50 million into their new acquisition over the coming years, with the intention to create upwards of 500 new jobs by introducing a second processing shift.

A second processing shift will increase exports to 75% of production, which will open up new market opportunities across the world.

Frew Foods International is now part of a global vision, and is a real strength to the local and broader Northern Grampians economy.

As our world class meat processing facility continues to grow, it will also provide new employment opportunities and training pathways into a global business.

Thomas Foods International will take over the full ownership when Robert Frew retires.