‘Passion for food’: Longford man is CEO of Australia’s largest ready meal manufacturer

It is seldom that we can acknowledge the outstanding success of a young entrepreneur from our community of Lanesboro and it is with a wonderful sense of pride that I learned of the momentous success of Ray Hanly.

Ray, son of Maura and the late P. Hanly, Lehery, was the CEO and Managing Director of ‘B&J The Kitchen’ and he spent the last ten years building up this remarkable ready meal facility business across Australia and New Zealand.

Recently, Ray completed the sale of the business to the internationally renowned and respected Woolworths Group Limited that is an Australian multinational retail and finance company, primarily known for the operation of its retail chain Woolworths.

While working in England, Ray was well known for his creativity and his entrepreneurial acumen and his expert eye for business.

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Since moving from England to Australia some 10 years ago, Ray oversaw an exponential growth of the ‘B&J The Kitchen’ business throughout Australia and New Zealand as a food solutions provider producing more than 800,000 chilled and frozen meals each week across Australia and New Zealand.

Hence we see one of the biggest multinational companies recognising the further growth potential of the company allied to their own and buying over the company.

We extend huge congratulations to Ray as the name rebrands from ‘B&J The Kitchen’ to ‘The Kitchenary’.

Ray says that it “reflects our passion for food, creativity and craftsmanship.”

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Ray is now in the role of CEO of The Kitchenary and there is no doubt that he will not rest on his laurels and he will have his creative, inventive and entrepreneurial mind working towards greater success.