New hospitality contender, Ovation Hospitality Services NZ, has acquired the New Zealand hospitality services division of Downer EDI Limited (NZE:DOW), fast-tracking its goal to become the country’s premium catering provider.
Better-known by the trading names of Spotless Catering, Alliance and Epicure, the business has a long track record of serving Aotearoa with event, corporate and retail catering services. Its client list includes Go Media (Mount Smart) Stadium, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Toyota NZ, Foodstuffs (NZ), Health NZ, Christ’s College, Whanganui Collegiate School and Northbridge Lifecare Trust.
Hospitality Specialist
Ovation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick McCartney said: “With deep community roots grown over many decades, it’s a natural fit for a hospitality specialist, and we’re excited by the opportunity to unite and reinvigorate this business under the Ovation brand.”
“Although we’re a new company, we have 55 years of hospitality experience to draw from, so are confident that we’ll set new standards of service for every New Zealand client. Whether its nutritious dinners for hospital patients or faster food for footy fans, Ovation will provide a premium experience to clients and their patrons, no matter the occasion”, said Mr McCartney.
Ovation was established earlier this year to spearhead the ambitious expansion plans of parent company, Doltone Hospitality Group (DHG).
Headquartered in Auckland, Ovation’s mission is to develop a trans-Tasman Hospitality Services portfolio through the creation of new business ventures, as well as through the acquisition and revival of underperforming hospitality assets.
Transferable Know-How
“We looked first to the unique New Zealand market for potential acquisitions”, said Mr McCartney.
“As a broad-based operator, the Downer business gave us an instant presence in strategically important sectors like Education, Hospitals, Stadiums, Government, Healthcare and Senior Living.
“With all 1250 management and staff coming across, the transition has been smooth, with easy wins readily identified by the re-energised team. Moreover, we’re already impressed by the many decades of Kiwi experience dealing with major clients and view this as transferable know-how, capable of export to Australia.
DHG’s Group CEO and Managing Director, Mr Joseph Murray, said the deal represented the first step on a transformative growth path conceived during the pandemic years.
“The creation of Ovation on the back of the Downer NZ buyout is strategically significant for DHG, because we’re on a mission to build a leading, multi-faceted hospitality group, diversified across the three service pillars of Events, Hospitality Services, and Tourism & Retail.
“With this deal, our New Zealand business has become the engine room driving trans- Tasman growth for our Hospitality Services division, due to its strengths within key industry verticals”, Mr Murray said.
