22 | Waikato: Inghams Enterprises REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ingham’s continues to hold between 3-9 months forward purchase cover on key feed ingredients to give security. The pandemic has presented some key challenges to the Ingham’s business as it has sought to navigate its way through uncertain times. Heightened restrictions in place for the first quarter of this year have contributed to cost pressures through increases in overtime, transport, and compliance costs. Matthew says operational adjustments have been made as Omicron has hit more than 50% of the staff at one site at its peak. “We have partnered with customers and rationalised our product we were producing as necessary. It’s relied on constant communication to keep them informed at all times. Our staff have shown great resilience and are responding quickly and effectively, working together and across the business to minimise disruption.” He says that as a key employer with up to 1,100 staff, mostly based in the Waikato, Ingham’s focuses intensely on keeping its people safe and supporting health and wellbeing. This has involved dividing the team into colour coded work ‘bubbles’ that also counted for their home bubbles and included 10 separate amenities across the site to reduce risk to exposure and slow the spread of the virus. The company also had a marquee for RAT testing on site. Another current challenge is the war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are responsible for producing around 30% of the global wheat, which is a major feed source for Ingham’s chickens. Ingham’s continues to hold between 3-9 months forward purchase cover on key feed ingredients to give security. Ingham’s is a significant employer in the Waikato and attracting sufficient staff to meet demand for product has seen Ingham’s come up with a range of initiatives. Matthew says there are some good work opportunities available, and Ingham’s has also been working with the Ministry for Social Development to support people into the workforce. Initiatives include introducing a parent friendly shift so people can be available for their kids when they finish school, a van to provide transport to and from work and staff meat discounts. It also offers two popular development programmes –for personal growth and front line leadership development, which Matthew says have resulted in feedback from staff that the benefits have also been felt outside the workplace. Ingham’s is also a proud supporter of the community and last year donated over 30,000 kgs of chicken locally including to charitable Global challenges met head on T Karen Phelps “Founded in 1918 as a family business, Ingham’s has a proud history and a bright future.” organisations and marae. He says Ingham’s continues to grow and has invested heavily in its Auckland processing plant and built a new breeder farm over recent years. Likewise its network of contract growers has also been expanding. “Founded in 1918 as a family business, Ingham’s has a proud history and a bright future. The business is undergoing substantial growth, where every day presents new and exciting opportunities to thrive.” Orion Haulage specialises in cartage of stock feed from rawmaterial stores and feedmills direct to farms in the greater central North Island region. 07 889 3451 www.oriongroup.kiwi WAIKATO MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR 2021
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