Darrell Lea moves deeper into chocolate

Iconic liquorice manufacturer Darrell Lea has beefed up its’ chocolate offerings with a range of six blocks with the help of Monash Food Innovation.

The family-owned business, which faced financial difficulties in 2012, worked with MFI to design the perfect block form, weight and demoulding ability.

MFI also helped de-risk the production process through the use of 3D printing and producing trays for testing by food technologists.

This process saved money and time while Darrell Lea validated its new product offering.

MFI was formed when Melbourne’s Monash University took over Mondelez International’s regional food innovation centre, and committed to applied research.

The Lea family made the original business a household name but got into difficulties with their retail model.

Bought by the Quinn family, the company closed its retail stores and cut product numbers from 800 to 100, before selling to the Quadrant private equity group.

Picture: Monash Food Innovation

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