Weis (frozen foods company)
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1957 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Les Weis |
| Headquarters | Minto , Australia |
Area served | Australia, China, Japan |
| Products | Frozen fruit desserts, ice confectionery (Weis Bars) |
| Owner | Unilever |
Number of employees | 93 (at Toowoomba site before closure) (2019) |
| Website | www |
Weis is an Australian frozen fruit dessert and ice confectionery brand owned by Unilever. It is particularly famous for its fruit ice creams shaped like bars, known as Weis Bars. These products are commonly found in Australian supermarkets and milk bars, available in packages containing either eight mini bars or four standard-sized bars. Initially produced in Toowoomba, Queensland, the manufacturing facility was eventually shut down, with production relocated to Minto, New South Wales.
History
Les Weis developed the Weis Fruito Bar in 1957, initially selling it from his corner shop in Toowoomba. The original flavor combined pineapple, banana, and passion fruit. Introduced in 1959, the Mango and Cream bar has since become the brand's best-selling item.
During the Q150 celebrations, Weis was honored as one of Queensland's 150 cultural icons.
By January 2016, Weis had entered the Chinese market after exporting to Japan for over two decades. International sales now contribute to roughly 30% of the company’s revenue.
Prior to August 2017, Weis operated as a privately held Australian business managed by the Weis family until its acquisition by the Anglo-Dutch corporation Unilever.
In late 2019, Unilever announced the closure of the Toowoomba manufacturing site, which led to 93 employees losing their jobs. Production was then centralized at the Sydney-based Minto facility, despite earlier commitments to keep operations in Toowoomba.
Awards
The Weis Bar was acknowledged as one of Queensland’s Q150 Icons during the 2009 Q150 celebrations, highlighting its importance as a notable example of "innovation and invention."