38 | PRODUCTION Cobb T T Richard Loader Cobb NZ celebrates fifth anniversary Some of the 110-strong Cobb team at its state-of-the-art New Zealand plant. This year, broiler breeder specialist Cobb is celebrating its fifth anniversary of operations in New Zealand, and General Manager Steve Shelley attributes the company’s success to the 110 exceptional team members who bring their energy to work every day. “I’m very proud to be involved with a team that is skilled, dedicated and passionate about what they do, and I’m continually impressed with the personal and technical development we see from team members, especially those that have come to us with no prior poultry experience.” Steve has been part of Cobb’s journey in New Zealand since January 2017, when the state-of-the-art plant was being constructed on its 150 hectare site in Rangiriri, 30 minutes north of Huntly in North Waikato. Bringing with him considerable experience in the poultry industry, particularly around the livestock side of the business, Steve commenced as Cobb’s production manager before being appointed General Manager at the end of last year. He says he has been involved in many recruitment interviews with people who have not only had no prior experience on poultry farms, but have never been employed before. “It can be quite an emotional moment for the candidate when they realise they are being offered a job and given an opportunity. Some of those people have been with us for the majority of the five years that we’ve been operating now, and many have moved into lower and middle management roles. The area tends to be lower socio-economic, with a number of social issues and we’re very much of the mindset of helping local people get ahead, or supporting local businesses.” While there is a high percentage of M ori employees there is also a high percentage of Filipino and Chinese employees, and in fact the ethnic diversity extends to 15 different nationalities, with an even mix between male/female. “That diversity brings about a very good work place culture. Yes, there is the occasional challenge, but they are easily remedied. I’m extremely grateful that I have the best part of 110 team members who really appreciate doing what they do for the company.” A large percentage of the 110 team members are in operational roles, but there are also electricians, mechanics, engineers, and maintenance personnel, along with support roles in Human Resources, Health & Safety, Finance, Quality Assurance, Exports, Veterinarian and Commercial. “We have a strong focus on Training and Development, including a dedicated department,” says Steve. “We utilise external training from the Poultry Industry Training Organisation, Team One International Ltd and Talent Leadership Consultants and very substantial internal training programme covering our Operational, Health and Safety and Quality Assurance requirements.” The New Zealand operation is a spring chicken in comparison to its parent company which was established by Robert Cobb in Littleton, Massachusetts in 1916, making it the world’s oldest chicken pedigree broiler breeding company. While there were once many broiler breeder companies, there are now only two pedigree broiler breeder companies in the world. A New Zealand operation had been under consideration by Cobb’s senior management for several years, and part of that consideration was the supply chain bringing eggs into New Zealand from Cobb’s European and US operations, and day old chicks out to primarily Asian customers. New Zealand’s growth in tourism brought with it an increase of flights and the confidence needed to establish the $100 million plant and ensuring global customer supply due to New Zealand’s bird flu free (Avian Influenza) status. Cobb New Zealand’s plant has the operational capacity to supply approximately 10% of the world’s chicken meat requirements. “Pedigree breeder eggs are received from our European and U.S operations to the quarantine unit here at Rangiriri,” explains Steve. “This is a state-of-the-art facility specifically designed to meet New Zealand’s strict regulatory requirements. “A lot of testing with the flocks and eggs occurs prior to the eggs leaving from overseas to ensure they are disease free. “Eggs are routinely received here to replace the eggs that have already hatched. When the eggs hatch they are tested to ensure there are no diseases before the males are separated from the females and transferred to rearing units where they will live for the next 20 weeks. “The males and females are then re-united and placed in breeding units to produce chicks. The eggs are collected every day from that environment and taken to our main hatchery, and when hatched transported to the market, which is mainly Asia.” B&M Slots provides a complete ‘concept-to-completion’ service including design of buildings and consultation through to project management and installation of equipment. Farmers in all areas of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have relied on our expertise and renowned customer service for over 25 years. Proud to be associated with Cobb-Vantress www.bmslots.com | info@bmslots.com Layer Equipment • Broiler Equipment • Pig Equipment
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