The Nicholas family developed "Aspro" in 1915 when foreign supplies were cut due to the war and a government contract was issued to supply Australian troops with a viable alternative. The Nicholas family were known for their philanthropy and it could be said that AktaVite forms part of that legacy. A truly unique Australian owned and made product, competing in the category against a sea of foreign owned competitors.
In 1981 the first major corporate change occurred when Nicholas International Limited merged with Kiwi International Limited forming a company with diversified interests in food, pharmaceuticals, shoe polish and other household consumer goods. "Kiwi" was a brand that was developed by another well-known Australian family, the Ramsay family. In 1906 William Ramsay, in partnership with Hamilton McKellar, developed the "Kiwi" boot polish brand that was affectionately named after William's New Zealand wife, Annie.
AktaVite's popularity with Australian families ensured the brand's survival over time. However like many corporate growth stories, the success of Nicholas Kiwi made the company a corporate takeover target that caught the eye of a foreign multi-national. In 1985 the merged Nicholas Kiwi Limited's foreign subsidiaries were purchased by the US multi-national, Sara Lee, for $330 million. This temporarily ended a long and privileged Australian heritage, for just over 10 years.
Fortunately, the AktaVite brand was returned to Australian ownership on October 9th 1996, when Myerton Australia Pty Limited purchased the brand. Myerton Australia remains committed to continuing the fine tradition that generations of Australians have embraced.
AktaVite believes in supporting the Australian community, sponsoring the "AktaVite Campfires Against Cancer" charity horse ride in 2002-03. This event saw a group of intrepid horse riders travel from Darwin to Corryong through one of the worst droughts in Australia's history, raising $534,000 for Cancer Research in NSW along the way. AktaVite continues to support worthy Australian causes both in the city and the bush.