The Alliance Group Ltd's Nelson plant has celebrated the first year operations of its new, modern food processing facility. Commissioned on the 30th October 2000, the comparatively small and efficient, single chain sheep and lamb operation also processes bobby calves in the spring.
A farmer owned co-operative with head offices in Invercargill, the Alliance Group Ltd has a turnover of around $1billion, and six plants spread throughout the South Island. General Manager of the Nelson plant Terry Kreft said the old works facility was originally built in 1909, and obviously past its use by date, and hence the need to build the new facility for the region.
Alliance Group Ltd built the new plant in Nelson to maintain a presence in the northern part of the South Island and service the farmers from the district, as well as north Canterbury. "We operate pretty much year round compared to the old plant, combined with the ability to provide greater flexibility," Terry said.
The new plant offers many benefits, in that they can operate on a shift basis, day and night, and are able to process a greater percentage of the throughput. "Our biggest advantage is being able to add value to a lamb carcass," Terry comments. "Which allows us to secure the chilled markets of Europe and the United States with fresh product."
The pelts are now moved down to Timaru, and the rendering material down to Kokiri north of Greymouth. The plant employs a staff of about 160 over two shifts, one starting in August operating almost all year round with the second shift commencing early November going through to May, depending on availability of livestock.
