72 | PRODUCTION Superior Pet Food Co. Reinvesting in research and development is key Sue Russell A small amount of the company’s dried treats are exported to the US and South-East Asia, while the dog rolls are sold only in New Zealand. Pest Management Limited www.genusnz.com SAM TISSINGH Electrician Proud to be associated with Superior Pet Food Co. PAEROA - HAURAKI • PH: 022 657 8169 • @: tisselectrical@gmail.com Industrial - Rural Service - Residential - Commercial With a background in contract manufacturing in the food and beverage sectors Clint Bolderston was well suited to take up the role of CEO at Paeroa-based Superior Pet Food Co. He’s been in the role 3 ½ years and has brought a firm commitment to enable and support people to improve and progress their own careers. “I’ve always been people-centric. Here at our processing facility the living wage is a minimum and we try to move people on from there. The benefits that come from placing importance on staff satisfaction is reflected in the culture of the company and in our success,” Clint says. And finding ways to operate that guarantee sustainability and enable the company to continually reinvest in research and the development of new products underpins that success. Today the team extends to 35 in number across processing, sales and management, with 27 based at the Paeroa factory, where Superior Pet Food produces a range of dog rolls and dry dog treats. Next year, the company’s Chunky dog roll turns 50 years old. Possum meat used in the Possyum range is sourced from processing facilities licensed by MPI, where strict rules around land owner access, sourcing methods and poison declarations are mandatory. “Our dog rolls are manufactured under stringent MPI production criteria,” Clint explains. Given the meat is not only highly agreeable to our canine friends and full of the sorts of nutrients they need to thrive but also helping eliminate a pest from our native bush and forests. “Our possums are sourced through the hunting and trapping process, so it is helping support the livelihoods of trappers and to create environments where our native birds can thrive.” And monitoring trends in the rapidly growing pet food sector is another part of the role. The company has a small working group who spend time looking at trends both nationally and internationally. A focus these days is to not only look at improving the functionality of the products but also to research and improve the nutritional profile. “There is a lot of international research about allergents and removing beef which is potentially an issue for dogs. While we use possum, chicken, beef and lamb as the basis for our range we are now producing beef-free alternatives for more sensitive dogs.” A small amount of the company’s dried treats are exported to the US and South-East Asia, while the dog rolls are sold only in New Zealand. Two years ago, the dried treats were also launched in supermarkets. Clint is proud of the fact that, unlike a number of other petfood manufacturers who contract their products out, Superior Pet Food Co. employs its own staff. Plans ahead are to double the size of the existing factory and given the challenges COVID presented, when at one time 18 staff were isolating at home, Clint says the future is very bright. “We had our own experience with COVID and our priority was just to take good care of our people. We actually got through it very well and only lost two days of production. That’s testament to our people on the floor and our Operations Manager.” In the last four years output has doubled and Clint says when the factory extends in size employment of more staff will be necessary. “While we use possum, chicken, beef and lamb as the basis for our range we are now producing beeffree alternatives for more sensitive dogs.”
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