Versair rebranded as Goddard Catering
Published:Friday | May 27, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Goddard Enterprises Limited, which acquired majority control of Versair In-Flite Services from partner GraceKennedy (GK) two years ago, is now moving to rebrand the company as Goddard Catering Jamaica Limited.
Referring to the press notice dated Sunday, May 22, a company representative said the renaming "is just realignment so that the brand can be consistent throughout the region. There has been no change in share ownership or the structure of the company."
The representative said new plans for the company will be outlined by Barbados-based Goddard Enterprises, in the coming months.
The name change, effective April 21, 2011, but just announced via a press advertisement on May 22, aligns with 20 other operations in Goddard's regional catering markets.
Four other operations do not bear the brand, according to information on Goddard's website.
Goddard acquired GraceKennedy's 51 per cent stake in Versair and 30 per cent of Fidelity Motors in August 2009 - given Goddard at least 76 per cent ownership. Both deals were valued at J$350 million, GK said then.
At last count, Goddard's in-flight kitchens employed 1,900 across the Caribbean and South America.
Versair In-Flite at one point was a joint venture of GraceKennedy Limited, Goddard Enterprises, and Lufthansa-owned LSG SkyChefs. Even when GK was the majority owner, the entity was run by Goddard.