26 | NZ Riverland Foods & Higgs Construction T T Kim Newth New plant geared for pet food market Tom Coughlan, Head of Operations with Riverlands founder Richard Zhu, Minister of Agriculture and Trade Todd McClay, and Managing Director Jordi Du. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A new high speed, high volume contract pet food cannery has opened in Christchurch to meet demand coming from fast growing international markets. The New Zealand Riverland Foods’ state of the art plant in Hornby is equipped to manufacture up to 30 million cans a year. “We are adding value for export, using quality raw materials – meat, poultry and fish – sourced in the South Island,” explains Tom Coughlan, Riverland Foods’ Head of Operation. “Rather than having our own pet food brand, we’re manufacturing for other brands in key markets.” Riverland Foods will work with start-up companies as well as established global players looking to add a New Zealand flavour to their existing recipes. The plant is focussed on supporting innovation, with a good selection of textures and flavours available. Riverland Foods’ design team will also assist their customers with brand and packaging development. Targeting the lucrative global pet food market is an astute move. The Christchurch plant is tailormade to supply niche markets offshore in a $US95 (NZ$155) billion industry serving a growing number of pets. As a premium primary producer, known for high quality safe food, New Zealand is well-positioned to take advantage of ongoing growth in this ever more discerning market sector. “New Zealand’s primary products are very well-regarded in our target markets of North America, Australia, China and Asia. Here in Hornby, we have ready access to high quality ingredients: all the major meat companies have plants in Canterbury, which is also home to a significant poultry operation, and we can access all the fresh fish we need. We’re very handy to the Port of Lyttelton. “We import our empty cans from China and are set up so the containers coming in can be cleared directly on our site. We can then fill those containers with quality pet food for export. Logistically, this is a very good area for us.” Speaking at the opening of the plant in March 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Trade Todd McClay praised the new value-added processing venture, which is one of the largest export canneries for pet food in New Zealand. He cited industry data showing that New Zealand pet food exports had quadrupled in less than a decade to reach $320 million in 2023. Opening day was a double celebration for Riverland Foods, as the team also signed their first two contracts to make pet food for overseas brands - United Laboratories International Holdings Limited from China and Talentail from Australia. The new $35 million manufacturing plant currently employs a base staff of six, but expects to employ around 30 people once the plant is running at full capacity with a strong focus on building a sizeable research and innovation team. Equipped with modern processing, freezer and packing facilities, plus the latest automation technology, the plant was built by Higgs Construction inside an existing 4,500sqm warehouse. Extensive services were installed as part of the project, including a state of the art energy recovery system to help minimise the environmental footprint of the plant and save on energy costs. “After four months of planning and consent, building started on-site last August and it’s all been done since then,” says Tom Coughlan. “Higgs Construction - the main contractor for the build – were great to work with and delivered very accurate timelines. It has been a very successful project from our point of view and theirs.” Both Tom and Riverland Foods General Manager Michael Dance are well-experienced in the pet food sector having previously held managerial roles with premium pet food brand Ziwi. Having moved to Christchurch from the North Island to take up this new opportunity, Tom says he is enjoying the city’s “go ahead” character. “Christchurch is on a roll and we have a very good team here to make the most of this great location.” Proud to partner with Riverland Foods and support their growth.
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