- An Australian beverage company made a sad announcement
- The company shared the news on social media.
One of the founders of Australian icon Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has passed away, the Queensland family business has announced.
The company took to social media to announce the death of Lee Fleming, who was instrumental in founding the company in the 1960s alongside her husband Cliff.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Bundaberg Brewed Drinks co-founder, Lee Fleming,” the company said in a statement.
‘Lee was passionate, caring and instrumental in the founding and growth of our much-loved Bundaberg ginger beer.
‘She will be greatly missed by the entire Bundaberg Brewed Drinks family.
-We will miss you, Lee.
Ms Fleming died at the Friendly Society Private Hospital in Bundaberg on August 8, aged 82.
She was instrumental in building the company, known for its iconic Bundaberg ginger beer, before it became an international giant in the soft drinks industry in recent years.
One of the founders of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, an Australian icon, has died, the Queensland family business has announced (file image)
The company took to social media to announce the death of Lee Fleming (pictured), who was instrumental in founding the company in the 1960s alongside her husband Cliff.
He founded the company with Cliff and his parents-in-law Neville and Gladys in 1968.
When Neville and Gladys retired in 1985, she and her husband took over the reins.
Soon after, the company began exporting to other countries and today Bundaberg products can be found in over 60 countries.
In 2018, the company signed a distribution agreement with Pepsi that has allowed it to distribute its products in more than 400,000 stores and restaurants in the United States and its annual turnover is estimated at more than 200 million dollars.
It is one of the largest employers in the central Queensland city and has grown its workforce to 240 employees.
The company recently opened a $150 million “super brewery” that will double its output as it looks to grab a bigger slice of the global market.