Success Stories

Company Profile: MSugar finds their sweet spot

“The less human intervention the better, that’s what customers want to see,” says MSugar Managing Director Jay Spittal. MSugar relocated to premises in East Tamaki in mid-2017, and just last month commissioned a new, state-of-the-art fully-automated liquid sugar processing plant to serve customers in the food and beverage manufacturing and beekeeping industries. “Humans make errors and errors can cause contamination, so we’ve built the highest spec plant we could to eliminate that risk,” says Jay. Building a new plant was the way forward MSugar has been trading cane sugars and other food commodities since 2009. Four years ago, the company also began supplying liquid sugar to beekeepers, who use it as a food supplement for bees, and to small-to-medium size food grade customers. “We used a contract manufacturer to start with and they were very good, but after two years we’d built the business up to a point where capacity was holding us back and building a new, automated processing plant was the only way forward.” “With financial analysis and the advice of our accountant and business adviser Karen Tobeck at Monteck Carter we built a business case and took that to our bankers, and thankfully they gave us their support and the funding we needed.” The market for liquid sugar is large in volume terms – millions of litres – but it’s not a spectacular growth market. The commitment to building a new processing plant was one piece in the strategy that MSugar is pursuing to carve out a competitive position in liquid sugar and to succeed by providing exceptional service and a quality product. “With our trading background we understand that ‘sugar is sugar,’ though we’d also argue there are quality differences determined by refining sources and processes. We identified ways to serve customers better by doing things […]

NZ’s top ag consultants named

Three winners have been named in the third annual Farmax Consultant of the Year Awards in Ashburton overnight. The winners are: Sully Alsop of Baker and Associates in Masterton who won the Beef + Lamb NZ Sheep and Beef Consultant of the Year title; Phil Journeaux of AgFirst Waikato who won the DairyNZ Dairy Consultant of the Year; and Lycinda Lett, also from AgFirst Waikato who was named the NZIPIM Emerging Rural Professional of the Year. Sponsored by Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, New Zealand Institute for Primary Industry Management and the Ministry for Primary Industries, the awards are open to all agricultural consultants and the prizes won by each category winner include: • A Windows tablet • A paid overseas study trip • Funds for personal development; and • 40 paid hours to undertake a research project to benefit New Zealand’s agriculture industry. Sully Alsop Alsop trained at Smedley Station and Massey University and for the past nine years, has worked as a sheep and beef consultant and director for Baker & Associates in Masterton. He also runs a 3000-unit sheep and beef farm with this wife. Alsop also recently came second in the ANZ New Zealand Young Farmers Contest. Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen said Alsop is a great example of the “new breed” of consultant. “Sully promotes excellence, gets involved and puts himself out there,” he said. “His areas of expertise are strategic planning, business management and high performance sheep and beef production.” Phil Journeaux Journeaux joined AgFirst’s Waikato office in 2012, after 25 years with what was then the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. He has worked in agriculture all of his working life, covering a wide range of the industry. Farmax general manager Gavin McEwen said that Journeaux was not your typical consultant. “He […]

Vitafoods Asia Strengthens its Position in the Nutraceutical Industry

Singapore: Vitafoods Asia, the only Pan-Asian event dedicated exclusively to the nutraceutical industry, recently concluded its fourth edition on a high note, reinforcing its status as the definitive exhibition for the market. More than 170 suppliers from all over the world, including ADM, Chr. Hansen, Epax, Huisong Pharmaceuticals and Malaysian Biotech Corporation, showcased the latest nutraceutical innovations in ingredients, raw materials, as well as functional food and drinks during the two-day event. Held in Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo from 3 to 4 September 2014, Vitafoods Asia welcomed a total of 2,474 trade professionals from across the region, which represented an 11% increase in visitor attendance. This year, a large proportion of visitors were senior decision-makers, including executives from companies such as Danone, Blackmores, Korea Yakult, Tate and Lyle, and a number of leading distributors. As the Asian nutraceutical market continues to gain strong interest on the international stage, industry players expect the region to increase in dominance. Analysis by Frost & Sullivan confirms this, as the Asia Pacific region generated the largest demand for the global nutraceuticals market in 2013, contributing to 37% of total market revenue, which is valued at US$175 billion. Chris LEE, Portfolio Director, Vitafoods, said, “The Asian nutraceutical market has performed extremely well in the last decade and there is every indication, both empirical and anecdotal, that Asia will continue to lead the global market in the years ahead. The show is well poised to support the region’s growth, and we look forward to bringing more of the industry together to help them realise the full potential that the market possesses.” Professional and Specialised Trade Event Exhibitors at this year’s event were pleased with their decision to participate, citing the show’s specialised audience, the focus on doing business, and its level of professionalism as key benefits. Some […]

Moving goods around the world

Secureaload, a member of The Gavan Group of companies, is appearing at Foodtech Packtech on Stand 3057. The Gavan Group commenced business in 1988 when the Directors, Gavin Condon and Andrew Corstorphine, perceived the need for a company to supply all parts and accessories required by Intermodal marine transport equipment operators, hence the formation of Gavan Container Products. Since this time the Gavan Group of Companies has expanded through the network of branches to become the world’s largest supplier of Shipping Container related products. With eighteen (18) warehouse and office operations in nine (9) countries throughout Australasia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, South East Asia and Mainland China they will continue to expand their operation throughout Asia, providing a professional and efficient equipment service. Gavan has over 24 years expanded the product range from Shipping Container repair spare parts and accessories to include a wide range of Transport, Cargo Care / Protection products, Lifting and Safety Products, Marine Lashing, Rail and Rolling Stock Lashing systems, Military Lashing Systems, Light Engineering and Manufacturing, as well as a Plastic Pallet division. Supplying quality products sourced locally and from around the world at competitive prices Gavan Container Products use a sophisticated computer controlled stock inventory, dispatch and accounts systems providing customer tailored billing to ensure customer satisfaction. In 1998 Gavan formed a strategic alliance with two major container parts suppliers one based in Europe and one based in America; this then led to the formation of the “Intermodal Equipment Alliance” which gives the Gavan Group a truly global reach and coverage. Gavan Container Products staff has a unique blend of experience and skills in the international container/shipping, transport industry and rigging industries. This experience is invaluable when ensuring the correct parts and accessories, are supplied. The commitment of the management and staff will […]