IN TH IS ED ITI ON
Bulletin
+ GREG’S COLUMN + RESTORE FIRSTLIGHT COLLABORATION
AUTUMN 2022 EDITION
O M IC R ON There is nothing like a good crisis to foster collaboration, and when my team put together our critical workers application, I naturally assumed my name would be at the top. You will appreciate my surprise when, much to everyone’s amusement, and clearly due to some oversight, they forgot to include me … nor did they seem to appreciate my extensive practical skills when the cry went out to fill some gaps. It seems they prefer me to stay in my office … even the wife and kids seem to be coping without my advice! Omicron is the Greek word for little, and it has certainly cured my big ego. My Team has stepped up, new leaders have emerged, and just quietly, these prodigies are proving that when it comes to a good crisis sometimes the boss is the least important person. Collaboration, the act of working together, brings out the best in a Team, and if we make it to the next letter of the Greek alphabet then I guess I will be shouting them all a Pi.
WAITOA PROTEIN PLAN T A couple of years ago, I mentioned that we had taken a keen interest in one of the world’s oldest professions – tanning. Well, today I can announce that we are equally excited about another interest, often described as one of the dirtiest … which seems a little unfair as it has been a long supporter of the soap industry … rendering!! Theses days are a far cry from the horrors of old and with state-ofthe-art technology it can almost be considered respectable … we have even changed the name to protein plant and while they still produce meal and tallow, these days the modern facilities don’t smell or leak, and they work closely with pharmaceutical companies for product like bone gel (think medicine casings) and biodiesel companies (think alternative fuels).
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During February we started work on a new stateof-the-art protein (rendering) plant at Waitoa. This facility will process fresh high-grade meal, tallow and bone gel for Greenlea, Wilson Hellaby and the two Northern Silver Fern Farm plants in Dargaville and Te Aroha. This investment is a sensible collaboration to achieve scale, and with it, efficiency.
have in Hamilton) which will save a lot of manual handling and enables us to re-deploy around 16 staff in this tight labour market. These investments are part of our ongoing commitment to be the best and most progressive meat company in this not so dirty old industry!
The benefits of this investment will flow through to our farmer suppliers and will save costs, including carbon, as we do not have to truck long distances from our meat processing operations in Hamilton and Morrinsville. In addition, we have just completed building a new fully automated carton freezing and sorting system in Morrinsville (similar to the one we
GREG’S CO LU M N
It’s mid-February as I write this, and most of the North Island has had good rain, after very dry conditions in January, with some real chance of quality follow up moisture in the next few days. This wet with the continued warmth brings the possibility of eczema and some good feeds of mushrooms, but it is hard not to feel we have managed to dodge the drought bullet for this summer. For many it is a long slow season getting cattle in to the processor. Disruptions with supply chains, Covid, staffing availability, and the sheer volume of cattle ready to go are all playing their part in processing capacity levels. However, there are opportunities in any situation. All the above factors are keeping replacement stock values at relatively low levels, and we are seeing record farm gate prices for dairy products and red meat. Global demand for our agricultural products is driving these record prices. Australia’s low beef exports, lower pork and chicken production worldwide, and Brazil’s issues recently with Foot and Mouth disease are all contributing factors. We are
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seeing a slight reduction in NZ milk production this season while red meat production remains at good levels. In my opinion, if we can maintain reasonable capacity and avoid any undue effects of Covid on staff and distribution channels, then the outlook for red meat is solid. Make hay while the sun shines as they say. Get the cattle in and replace with reasonably priced younger ones to secure a nice margin. Land use diversification. Just one of the many new shiny phrases coming at traditional farmers. However, I feel it is important for me to keep pushing this type of information at you all. With regulation and legislation coming thick and fast for farmers, is it time to be rethinking the way you use some of your land? Marginal areas, wet lands, riparian zones. All of you, whether dairy or red meat farmers, will need to be aware of your carbon emissions by 2023 and have Farm Plans in place that include managing carbon by 2025. Looking at possible areas where you can make effective changes quickly may be a good start.
R E STO R E F I R STLIG HT COL L A B O R AT I O N The theme of this issue of our newsletter is “collaboration”. Tony’s article about our partnerships at Waitoa demonstrates how meat companies are starting to work together to build scale and value in the industry. Our collaboration with FirstLight is another good example of playing to your strengths through strategic alignments. You may already be aware that we process Wagyu cattle at our Hamilton plant on behalf of FirstLight. This arrangement has been in place for many years and has allowed FirstLight to focus on sales and marketing without the need for adding more stainless steel! We are also now working with FirstLight on our new Restore bone broth brand. They have assisted with launching the product range into New Zealand supermarkets as they have developed a strong understanding of domestic FMCG and have a capable retail sales team
across the country. We have also tapped into their sales and marketing team in California as we contemplate our next move into export for the Restore brand. Having boots on the ground, especially during these times when overseas travel is impossible, has been particularly useful in understanding the USA market for bone broth. Their team have also provided essential face-to-face contact with grocer store buyers who are the key decision-makers in launching new brands. Our cooperation has also extended to new product development of a soon-to-bereleased Wagyu variety of our popular bone broth tonic range. Watch this space as our plans develop for Restore and look for Restore in your local supermarket. Visit www.restore.co.nz for a full list of Stockists as well as recipes and more information on the great benefits of adding bone broth to your diet.
Our collaboration with FirstLight is another good example of playing to your strengths through strategic alignments.
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Max’s story in his own words
MAX SAYS THANK YOU FOR HELPING SAVE HIS LIFE Living on a lifestyle property in the sunny Eastern Bay of Plenty that seems to be under the flightpath of Rescue Choppers, I often think of the unfortunate casualties that are being cared for by the crews as they fly overhead.
and stagger a few metres to get inside, but then immediately collapsed onto the floor in extreme pain and struggling to breathe.
Even being a donor to the helicopter rescue services I never thought one day I would be one of those casualties - until New Year’s Eve 2021.
After what seemed like hours but was only half an hour my son and an ambulance arrived.
After a busy morning cutting firewood on the last day of 2021, I decided to stop for a lunch break before I moved onto the next job on my list. I turned on the TV to watch a darts match on Sky only to find no signal due to ‘atmospheric conditions’. Looking outside and seeing only blue sky and no clouds, I went onto my deck to check the satellite dish - bad decision. As I leaned over the wooden deck railing, I lost my balance and felt myself tipping forward. I realised that I had reached the point of no return once I heard a loud crack as the wooden railing gave way. Years ago I enjoyed the sport of skydiving but on this freefall I did not have a parachute. This drop was only about three metres, but the landing was not smooth. I somehow managed to pick myself up
Luckily my phone was still in my pocket, it survived the fall better than me, so I was able to call my son and 111 for help.
The ambulance crew packaged me up and the call was made to transport me to Whakatane Hospital helipad to rendezvous with the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter. What a relief it was to hear that wonderful machine land. In a very short time, the excellent crew had loaded me into the chopper, and we were lifting off. In no time at all (as opposed to a long and painfully bumpy road trip) we were landing at Tauranga Hospital where I stayed for the first five nights of 2022. I had several broken ribs and a punctured lung. I am well on the road to recovery and have a model of the chopper I rode in on my desk at work, to remind me of the great service these crews provide. I would like to thank all the people involved in my care. I strongly encourage everyone to donate to the rescue
helicopter services we have in New Zealand because...
“One day you or one of your loved ones may be that casualty flying overhead”. MAX If you have a story to tell, email thankyou@rescue.org.nz – we would love to hear from you!
LIFE-SAVING MISSIONS YOU’VE MADE POSSIBLE
MISSION
COUNT 2020 - 505
2021 - 531
WANT YOUR VERY OWN RESCUE HELICOPTER? You can purchase your very own Greenlea Rescue Helicopter! Perfect for someone who’s been rescued by the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, has a passion for aviation, or just wants to donate to charity and receive a gift back. These are available to purchase via our website link below. We have a limited number of replica helicopters, so get in quick!
RESCUE.ORG.NZ/DONATE/#SECTION-MERCHANDISE The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter is dedicated to serving the central North Island community 24/7, 365 days of the year. Thank you to Greenlea Premier Meats and their farmers for continuing to support the lifesaving service of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter. You’re helping us touch the lives of many people.
Discover more and donate today |
rescue.org.nz |
0800 11 10 10 |
@rescuehelicoptersNZ |
info@rescue.org.nz @rescuehelicoptersNZ
THANK
you