22 | Marlborough: Aroma REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Kim Newth Marine extracts exporter eyes growth T T Investing in innovation - page 24 Aroma NZ is a sustainable grower, producer and exporter of high-quality New Zealand green-lipped mussel powder, green-lipped mussel oil and other marine extracts, including marine collagen and oyster powder. The third-generation family business runs an extensive land and sea operation that offers excellent job opportunities in a unique, rewarding and ever-evolving industry. Built on family values of partnership, integrity and innovation, Aroma NZ has been in business for more than 60 years and was founded by RJ Winters and his family, who came to New Zealand from the Netherlands in the late 1950s with experience in distilling oils for the perfume industry. The name ‘Aroma’ references that heritage, but from the 1980s the company pivoted to become a specialist producer and exporter of green-lipped mussel extracts, with RJ Winters working in partnership with his son, Ben G Winters. As Managing Director, Ben G Winters remains actively involved in the business and shares his knowledge of freeze drying and experience with the team. In early 2000, Ben S Winters joined the team – representing the family’s third generation - and bringing an innovative approach and a focus on global marketing. Aroma has experienced massive growth over the past few decades. Today, with vertical integration from marine farm to factory, Aroma is in a strategically strong position as a proven, quality supplier of premium, green-lipped mussel powder to key nutraceutical markets including Europe, the United States and Australia. “We understand the science behind it and the anti-inflammatory properties of these extracts for both people and companion animals – it’s why we have invested so heavily in it,” says Ben. “I’ve been in the business for nearly 25 years now. When I started, we only had a very small factory, then it became two and we just kept on growing. We doubled the size of our original factory and ended up buying the old Kiwi Bacon factory when that came up for sale at the end of our street. We actively exhibit at trade shows to meet face to face with our clients in conjunction with getting our digital online presence up to date.” In 2012, Aroma purchased their first mussel farm in the Marlborough Sounds and their first mussel vessel. “We now own, lease and manage over 40 mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds and Banks Peninsula and have three harvesters and two other boats that we use to check the condition of mussels prior to harvesting,” says John Gallagher, Aroma’s general manager who, as Ben’s brother-in-law, is very much part of the family success story. “We’re also about to invest in a new vessel that should be ready by the end of this year or early next year. It is being specially made for Banks Peninsula’s more exposed conditions.” Aroma has extensive processing and warehouse facilities at Havelock Port, home to the company’s green-lipped mussel drying and extracting operation in Marlborough. “We do around a third of our volume there, while two-thirds is done in our Christchurch facility where we have our CO2 supercritical fluid extraction plant to make mussel oil [GlycOmega™OIL],” says John. “We have great opportunities for people who want to work year-round in the marine aquaculture space, or to operate our plant and machinery. If you have initiative and a can-do attitude, drop us an email and let us know what you’re interested in. We’re a 24-hour operation and employ night shift workers. Equally, we have some staff who just work mornings. We try and offer flexible working arrangements to suit people’s needs.” Most of Aroma’s land-based staff are employed in Christchurch, while the bulk of the water-based staff operate out of Havelock in Marlborough. The aquaculture roles offer interesting work in a pristine marine environment, from seeding lines with baby mussels to adding floats as required, farm maintenance and harvesting. MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS to AROMA AQUACULTURE of: MUSSEL STOCKING Quality stocking for all seeding requirements. MUSSEL FLOATS High performance floats for demanding conditions. info@industrialmarine.co.nz www.industrialmarine.co.nz Providing expert liquid waste clearing & septic tank services in Marlborough. Call us today! 0800 FARTED (327 833) www.marlboroughliquidwaste.co.nz
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