First para is generic background information relating to current market conditions - we know all of this already.
Second para - Being an Australian citizen is no qualifier for talent, performance, tenacity or morality - there are hundreds if not thousands of non-Australian or non-Australian domiciled officers in companies quoted on the ASX and NZX. You then say 'I don't know your directors', evidencing that you haven't researched directors Li, Yao & Zhao or their networks (I've most certainly researched those involved with LON) and you've then excluded that the last Bellamy's job McBain had resulted in massive share price destruction & slashing of profit forecasts.
Third para - The brands, producers & retailers JAT represent are all Australian (and a few NZ) - so not quite sure what point you're trying to make in insinuating that profits 'go to BVI', when we know that wealthy families with nous in Australia exploit the use of trusts (on or offshore), lining their own nest to the detriment of the wider economy without a second thought - coupled with some mildly xenophobic anti-Chinese rhetoric as an afterthought.
Clients on JAT's list include Woolworth, OzFarm, A2 Milk Co, Karicare, Devondale, TimTams, Arnotts, BioIsland, HomeBrand, Morning Fresh, Country Life and Weetbix - great for those co's - and that list is growing rapidly. They also have their new 100% owned Cobbity brand for dairy product and a
controlling interest in Golden Koala with infant formula wholesale, dept stores & online sales in CN which already has CFDA approval.
LON has a
non-controlling interest in Maggie Beer and is acquiring a small dairy operation in SA not distributed nationally in Australia which they're 'hoping to expand'. IMO China doesn't give a flying fig about Maggie Beer or Paris Creek at this time - it's only interested in companies which can deliver from producers in Australia whose scale of supply, quality and value for money are consistent. These product idents imo also don't lend themselves to translating into China well imo - buyers will think that 'Beer' is beer for drinking and Paris is either a scrawny blonde supermodel or the capital of France. Did anyone think that through?
Your suggestion that LON shareholders are 'keeping the farm' by putting trust in a circle of mutually-supporting business and social connects (who never use trusts to protect their wealth) hoping to scale out a loss making minor tv chef's brand (the majority of which they
don't own) and a small dairy operation which couldn't hope to supply the volume China demands currently either directly or via daigou is however absolutely correct. They will own
one small farm in SA shortly.
Of Paris Creek McBain stated in AFR in November that "The main issue is supply, so they've focused on their home market of South Australia. Longer term, we would like to export but this would be
baby steps over the next three years." Useful info to know.
You'll recall that Laura Mc Bain & Rob Woolley sold $5M of their shares in Bellamy's
right at the top of the curve. Sheer luck in terms of timing there - truly amazing - a 1450% gain leaving regular shareholders far behind as the sp crashed. They said they were using the proceeds to "invest in personal assets and supporting private family investments" - well of course they were. Perhaps they considered putting some of that cash towards more philanthropic use - and then swiftly decided not to because they had other priorities - like personal assets.
Kathmandu founder Jan Cameron is Laura's mate who wanted her to remain at the helm at Bellamy's. Who wouldn't want their friend to do well, given the stellar job she did for shareholders? So it'd be no great surprise if she were to pop up at LON via nominee or other (offshore?) vehicle - especially after shareholders declined to have either of them on the Bellamy's board earlier in the year.
Here are a few interesting reads for you:
Cameron admits being aligned to 'mysterious Curacao-registered trust' attempting to roll the Bellamy's board:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-...jan-cameron-aligned-with-black-prince/8277834
Ownership Matters, ISS, Glass Lewis, Delta Partners recommend to shareholders not to appoint Jan Cameron to board of Bellamy's:
http://www.copyright link/business/...s-to-vote-against-jan-cameron-20170216-gued3h
"After months of denial, Ms Cameron on Thursday filed a notice showing she controls 17.67 per cent of Bellamy's via several entities: Bicheno Investments, Bollinger Investments and the Elsie Cameron Foundation. Previously, Black Prince was listed as the biggest shareholder at 14.5 per cent. It was later revealed that Curacao-registered Black Prince was controlled by Ms Cameron via her ECF."
Notice of EGM 26/2/17 - Note the issues flagged relating to non-disclosure, related parties & referral to ASIC etc:
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20170223/pdf/43g7dh2p91rkn2.pdf
MBP acquisition leaves Laura McBain with $10M 'Heartburn' - Presumably she had read the balance sheet?:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/laur...n-from-maggie-beer-stake-20170824-gy34ww.html
Maggie Beer Products facing $2.6M loss:
http://www.news.com.au/finance/busi...s/news-story/1f5632c86066ffa315d21a3db3c66269
Then again with all the hemp-hype flying around at the moment in our market perhaps LON could engage the services of Snoop to do the full Martha makeover on our Maggie?
www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2017/11/02/martha-stewart-and-snoop-dogg-how-did-happen
'Keep the farm'?!
'Profits stripped out via offshore trusts'?!
GLTAH.
