This is our story

From humble beginnings to becoming a pioneer food manufacturer trusted by businesses all over Australia. This is our story.

2020 Finalist The Next Generation Award - Ethan Tan

2019 Winner Education and Training Award

2019 Winner Innovation Food or Beverage Award

2019 Winner Service Provider Award

2019 Finalist The Next Generation Award - Ethan Tan

2019 Finalist Business Excellence Award

2019 Finalist Australian Growth Company Awards

2019 Winner KFC Lightbulb Award – Ethan Tan

2016 Finalist Business Award / Innovation in Food Award / Business Excellence Award

2015 Winner Entrepreneur Award - Ian Young

2014 Finalist New Product Award

2012 Winner Innovation Award

Established in 1991

Mexex's journey began as a Mexican food commissary for three company owned restaurants supplying quality Mexican style sauces and Mexican food ingredients such as corn chips, beans and other imported lines. Originally known as Mexican Express, the company was established 1991 in South Australia by Ian Young.

Expansion lead by Quality

After the departure of the restaurants, Mexex ventured into catering at venues such as Sydney Showground, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Adelaide Showground. In 1995, due to the increased demand for cheese sauces and salsas, it gave Mexex the ability to move to a larger premise in Dudley Park. Over the next decade, Mexex launched cheese sauces and Nachos to Go into foodservice and retail both domestically and abroad and won a number of prestigious awards in the areas of quality and innovation.

Continuous Growth and Innovation

Mexex led the industry by its pioneering example. In 2007, Mexex developed and launched the first hot filled bulk bag cheese sauce in Australia and in 2010, the business acquired new technology, venturing into Aseptic processing. In 2012, Mexex re-branded the business from Mexican Express to Mexex with a purpose to broaden its product scope and business directly. In 2017, Mexex acquired the first Aseptic HFFS pouch line in Australia.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, Mexex operates 6 days a week with a highly capable team offering customers not only quality processing and products but also value added service that makes doing business enjoyable.

Mexex will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary. In the years to come, the company will keep investing in innovation and sustainability, and backed by its long experience, Mexex will strive to provide you, our valued customer, a seamless experience and the competitive edge to stay ahead.

Our latest Achievements

Mexex’s innovation and focus on excellence and training was once again recognised at the 2019 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, where the company won three awards for innovation in food or beverage, education and service to the industry and was finalist in another two categories.

Catherine Sayer, CEO of Food South Australia CEO made special reference to Mexex’s establishment of the first world gold standard aseptic packaging facility in the Australasian region, quoting it is “a game changing technology for perishable products which can now be produced preservative free, and packed and transported without refrigeration.”

Ms Sayer went on to note that this technology opens up new markets for South Australian food and beverage products, and can also bring other producers across Australia to South Australia as “there’s nowhere else in Australia that can process and pack products this way”.

The SA Premier Steven Marshall made special reference to all the things South Australia is renowned for, including first class food, wine and beverages and said businesses like those awarded this year are critical to the state’s economy.

Mexex wishes to thank Food South Australia for recognizing our efforts in constantly striving for innovation and customer service excellence as well as each member of our team for their outstanding work and remarkable contribution.

We are hugely grateful to our customers for their appreciation of our commitment to service excellence and reputation for innovation. We will continue to focus on earning loyalty by seizing every opportunity to improve the overall customer experience and upholding a strong determination to succeed.

"Mexex’s focus on investing in their own people and collaborating across the industry has resulted in a business that now develops more than 100 new products every year for brands across Australia that are sold worldwide."
Catherine Sayer, CEO, Food South Australia

Mexex wishes to thank Food South Australia for recognizing our efforts in constantly striving for innovation and customer service excellence as well as each member of our team for their outstanding work and remarkable contribution.

We are hugely grateful to our customers for their appreciation of our commitment to service excellence and reputation for innovation. We will continue to focus on earning loyalty by seizing every opportunity to improve the overall customer experience and upholding a strong determination to succeed.

Our next Chapter

Mexex was acquired by Atlantic Food Holdings in November 2020 as part of a long-term succession plan and growth strategy.

The business will continue to focus on our core competencies and be driven by the same enthusiastic team with larger ambitions.

The venture will ultimately broaden our channels, boost scalability and bolster our innovation offerings. Mexex’s customers are at the forefront of these developments as we are well positioned to implement innovative approaches to new product development and flexible manufacturing capabilities.