For 60 years, AktaVite has provided generations of chocolate goodness to Australian families.
First formulated by the Nicholas family company in 1942 at their Chadstone factory, AktaVite has been through many changes of brand image and ownership. The Nicholas heritage started with the development of "Asprin" during the war years in 1915 when foreign supplies were cut 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 the then-named Nicholas International Ltd. merged with Kiwi International Ltd 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 named affectionately after Williams New Zealand wife Annie.
AktaVite is steeped in tradition and has survived the test of time, but like many corporate growth stories, the success of Nicholas Kiwi became 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 the a long and priveleged Australian heritage, for just over 10 years.
Fortunately, the AktaVite brand was destined to return to Australian ownership on October 9th 1996, when an Australian company, Myerton Australia Pty Ltd purchased the brand and refocussed on continuing the fine tradition that many Australians have embraced.
AktaVite has continued to support the Australian community which was reflected by their major sponsorship of the AktaVite Campfires Against Cancer charity horse ride 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 and raise $534,000 for Cancer Research in NSW. AktaVite has and will continue to support worthy Australian causes both in the city and the bush. AktaVite has come a long way since the 1940's and still maintains a strong nutritional sound position. Apart from being the only Australian made & owned milk modifier on the market. AktaVite now comes with the added benefits of folate. The nutritional benefits of folate have been strongly promoted in the breakfast cereal market and Akta-Vite is the first energy food drink to add folate to its already comprehensive list of vitamins & minerals.
Akta-Vite is low in fat, rich in 8 essential vitamins and minerals - The delicious chocolate flavour encourages children to drink more milk. This is vital for the extra protein, calcium and carbohydrates they need for growing up.
Akta-Vite is lactose free and can be enjoyed with your favorite soy or non-dairy beverage and is delicious sprinkled on ice cream or as delicious and healthy chocolate filler in sandwiches. AktaVite is also free from any artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. When all is weighed up AktaVite is an Australian icon brand that has a place in our hearts, a place in our supermarkets and hopefully a place in your pantry.
