| 45 Matamata Piako - Greenlea Meats REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Investment driving growth T from page 42 Greenlea Meats is a major employer in the Matamata-Piako and Waikato districts. “We went through developing a new collective agreement in 2012, and increased production by 25%. Greenlea has always had a strong focus on family values and care for its team of hard-working professionals.” Another milestone for the company happened in 2013 when it was accepted for exporting product into China, which remains a focus market. “We certainly utilise all parts of the carcass these days, from standard, to high-end cuts and with the plant we have we can programme a carcass to be processed in specific ways for each order. It means we are very flexible in what we can provide to our customers, locally and overseas.” Prior to China opening up for Greenlea, the company was very reliant on the US which is still a critical market and Greenlea’s second largest. The plant is also geared to deliver packaging and labelling required by each customer. “We have some very smart IT and Marketing people on board making all this happen.” Aaron stresses that one of the key reasons the company is flourishing is its commitment to deliver high standards in all areas of health and safety, food safety, processing and packaging systems that meet and exceed regulatory standards and customer requirements from all over the world . Aaron says while the Covid crisis did have a significant impact in being able to move product as ports shut and borders closed, the fact that these markets shifted up and down at different times was key to enabling Greenlea to work through successfully and divert product to alternative market as required . “It was a case of putting into place plans we had already set for such a situation supported by a marketing history where we hadn’t put all our eggs in one basket.” Greenlea Meats contributes to the well-being of thousands of people through sponsorship of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, based in Taupo and operated by the Phillips Search & Rescue Trust. During Covid, the company reached out in other ways to support local communities struggling to cope, with the Greenlea Foundation provided mince packs, to the value of $250,000 to St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army. “We also received direct support from our own farmer suppliers, customers and staff who collectively donated well over $120,000.” Aaron says he’s proud of the way the Greenlea team operated through the challenging months Covid brought last year, citing the fact that the company didn’t apply for the Government wage subsidy and didn’t lose any staff. He says it was both humbling and impressive to see their “can do” attitude shine through. PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIANS 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ELECTRICIANS WAIKATO WIDE SERVICE Morrinsville 3300 • dteague@electronz.net.nz P: (07) 888 3556 M: 027 433 8808 E: kaiser@kaiserag.co.nz SILAGE: Loader Wagon • Bales EFFLUENT SPREADING: • Kaiser Q DOG Pump • Muck Spreader • GARANT Tankers with Booms PIPE JETTING • SUCTION UNITS Proudly supporting Greenlea Meats Among New Zealand's leading electrical wholesalers, Ideal Electrical offers the finest selection of electrical supplies NZ wide. Lighting • Industrial • Technology • Renewable Energy 0800 733 385 webshop@ideal.co.nz Zeeland Logistics have been in a proud partnership with Greenlea Morrinsville site since 2001. Contact Grant Cooper 027 255 3348
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