58 | PRODUCTION Silver Fern Farms - Takapau A major player in community T from page 56 Silver Fern Farms is striving to be at the forefront of the latest consumer demands. “Our by-line is ‘a proud employer in our community’ and this is one way we can give back.” Due to its standing in the community Silver Fern Farms was in regular contact with Central Hawkes Bay District Council during the pandemic. “We kept them informed as to what was going on with our business and staff as obviously we are a major employer in the region. It meant that council knew we were looking after the people and what role they may or may not need to take to support locals,” he says. Omicron has been disruptive for the workforce and community, precautions such as increased PPE, staff team separation, social distancing and on site RAT and temperature testing has helped the company to weather the storm. Silver Fern Farms Takapau is a large scale-processing format for primarily lamb. It exports to key markets internationally. The site is also the central processor for the company’s retail range which also sees beef and venison supplied and further processed, then distributed all around the country to ensure supermarkets and other retailers have supply 52 weeks a year. Alistair says Silver Fern Farms is striving to be at the forefront of the latest consumer demands and as an example has recently released a chilled and frozen burger range, which has proved incredibly popular seeing the initial team quadrupling and now operating two shifts. Alistair says that the Honest Burger range showcases delicious homegrown flavours by combining New Zealand’s finest pasture-raised beef, lamb and venison with hints of uniquely New Zealand ingredients. The business has built clarity around its sustainability goals, and is accelerating Silver Fern Farms’ transition to a nature-positive red meat brand, that incentivises low emissions and regenerative farming practices. In response to market opportunities for verifiably sustainable product, Silver Fern Farms launched a Toitū Certified Net Carbon Zero Beef range in the US this year. Emissions are calculated for the lifecycle of product from participating suppliers of its 100% Angus range and are offset by carbon removals on those same farms. Last year Silver Fern Farms also achieved Toitū enviromark diamond certification, the highest New Zealand-based environmental certification. Alistair says this represents another important step in Silver Fern Farms’ commitment to playing a leadership role in driving sustainability in the red meat sector. • Machining • Plant maintenance • 3D CAD Design • Fabrication of Stainless • Mild Steel • Aluminum • Installation of PVC, CPVC, PPE & PPR pipe work for use of chemicals and water systems. 0274 482 981 | 7 Groome Place, Whakatu, Hastings | shanewarner@xtra.co.nz The Tasman Tannning Company Ltd Heads Road, PO Box 217, Wanganui 03 349 0595 www.tasmanleathers.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=