News Ticker

Recovering the economy

New Zealand business needs a new approach from Government to regulation, projects and procurement if the economy is going to start to recover. EMA Chief Executive Brett O’Riley has called for a new recovery playbook by Government to give businesses the flexibility to recover and thrive, and potentially increase their productivity. “As we prepare for moving out of Alert Level 4 we have an opportunity for changes to be made that can ‘fast start’ existing businesses and potentially expand employment in key sectors. We understand the Government is up for change and our discussions with businesses point to some quick wins, with sectors like manufacturing and construction poised ready to go,” says Mr O’Riley. Key initiatives the EMA are advocating to be implemented as we come out of Alert Level 4 include: – using fast track and streamlined RMA consenting for shovel-ready projects, with consenting led by the project entities. – consent and bylaw changes to enable businesses and projects to operate 24 hours a day with multiple shifts, to speed up progress and to encourage businesses to hire more staff to fill the shifts. – reintroduction of the 90-day trial period to enable businesses to trial staff seeking to enter new industries and roles. – use the acclaimed SCIRT and NCTIR project delivery models, developed for the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquake recoveries. – allow open book procurement by Government enabling lead contractors to be appointed to major projects quickly. – bring forward maintenance activity throughout New Zealand on roads, rail, hospital and schools, the latter while students are at home. – Re-purpose the Provincial Growth Fund to provide small local councils with the funding they need to kick-start those maintenance programmes. – change foreign investment rules and fast track OIO approvals to encourage private sector investment into new projects […]

OnRobot Soft Gripper brings flexible handling

The new OnRobot food-grade Soft Gripper is able to pick a wide array of irregular shapes and delicate items in food and beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals production, as well as manufacturing or packaging Automation just got easier for food and beverages that need to handle items from eggs to fruit, to bottles or irregular-shaped containers. The flexible OnRobot Soft Gripper uses three interchangeable silicon-molded cups in star and four-finger configurations to pick up almost any small object under 2.2kg with a delicate, precise touch. The electric Soft Gripper is food-grade certified (complies with FDA 21 CFR for non-fatty items and EC 1935/2004) and unlike traditional vacuum grippers, it requires no external air supply, so it can reduce both cost and complexity. “Our new Soft Gripper is challenging existing solutions for picking hard-to-grasp, delicate and odd-sized items,” says CEO of OnRobot, Enrico Krog Iversen. “Unlike proprietary solutions, the Soft Gripper offers seamless integration with most collaborative robots and light industrial robots through our One System Solution.” OnRobot’s award-winning One System Solution is a platform that provides a unified mechanical and electrical interface between leading robot arms and any OnRobot end-of-arm tooling (EoAT). The One System Solution has been newly expanded to include integration with robots from ABB Robotics and Hanwha Precision Machinery. Now, users of those robots can take advantage of the unified mechanical and electrical interface of any OnRobot product, for easier integration and faster ROI. While the Soft Gripper is ideal for food and beverage applications, it also provides flexible, delicate gripping for manufacturing and packaging. Soft Gripper Features: Up to 2.2kg payload based on shape, softness and friction of items to be handled Grip dimensions ranging from 10mm-118mm depending on cup used FDA certification Flexible, interchangeable silicon cups Ideal handling for delicate objects and irregular shapes No need […]

New Lincoln University Council members bring wealth of experience to the table

Co-chair of Silver Fern Farms Limited and Chair of Farmlands Co-operative, Rob Hewett (pictured), and Ecological Economist, Dr Marjan van den Belt, have joined the Lincoln University Council. Mr Hewett brings extensive governance experience in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors to the role, while Dr van den Belt has 25 years combined experience of knowledge brokering and entrepreneurship in research, teaching and consulting across multiple sectors. Silver Fern Farms is New Zealand’s largest meat processor and exporter, exporting to over 60 countries globally. Mr Hewett is also Director, immediate past-Chair, and a shareholder of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative Limited, which is owned by 16,000 farmer shareholders and supplies sheep meat, beef and venison to Silver Fern Farms Limited. He is also the Chair of Farmlands Cooperative Society, New Zealand’s largest diversified rural supplies business with 70,000 farmer shareholders, and a Director of T&G Global Ltd, an Auckland based, globally focused pipfruit and vegetable growing and import-export business. He has governance roles in the energy sector, as a Director for Pioneer Energy Limited, a diversified energy company with generating assets across wind, hydro, biomass, thermal and gas throughout New Zealand. Mr Hewett also has experience in sustainable ventures, owning a 960ha carbon-zero sheep and beef breeding and finishing farm with significant forestry and wind farm interests in Manuka Gorge, South Otago, since 2002. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Commerce from Lincoln University. Dr van den Belt has a life-long passion for ecological sustainability, social and cultural fairness and innovative economic solutions. This is reflected in a unique combination of academic qualifications, inter/trans-disciplinary research, and management and governance experience. A strategic partner with Terra Moana Ltd, she seeks to serve communities of people and organisations who critically engage with a vision for a regenerative society through enterprise, board positions, facilitation, […]

Commission grants clearance for T&G application to acquire Freshmax

The Commerce Commission has granted clearance for Turners & Growers Fresh Limited to acquire 100% of the shares in Freshmax NZ Limited. In reaching its decision, the Commission considered the potential impact of the proposed acquisition on competition in the markets for the wholesale supply of fresh produce, cool-chain distribution services and contract ripening services in New Zealand. Chair Anna Rawlings said the Commission was satisfied that the acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any New Zealand market. “We consider that the presence of competing suppliers in the relevant markets, along with the countervailing power of some customers and growers, is likely to constrain the ability of T&G to raise prices or reduce service quality,” Ms Rawlings said. “In addition, we considered whether the acquisition could affect competition by enabling T&G to coordinate with its competitors. We are satisfied that the fluctuating nature of supply and demand for fresh produce and the ability of customers to buy direct from growers would make coordination between the merged entity and other wholesalers unlikely.” A public version of the written reasons for the decision will be available on the Commission’s case register in the near future. Background This decision relates to a clearance application from T&G that we registered on 11 February 2020, the subject transaction which T&G announced to the NZX on 17 December 2019. T&G and Freshmax are both involved in the supply of fruit and vegetables (fresh produce) to retailers and other parties in New Zealand. T&G grows, imports and wholesales fresh produce in New Zealand and exports locally grown fresh produce. T&G also operates a produce distribution network and undertakes contract ripening for customers. T&G is a wholly owned subsidiary of T&G Global Limited. Freshmax imports and wholesales fresh produce in New Zealand. Freshmax provides […]

Butchers now allowed to process pork

Changes have been made to allow butchers to process pork, only for supply to supermarkets or other processors or retailers that are open, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced. “We carefully weighed the risk of allowing butchers to open their shops for retail customers, but the risk of spreading COVID-19 is too great so that will not be allowed”, Minister O’Connor said. “The aim in Alert Level 4 is to minimise retail outlets being open in order to minimise risk to public health. This decision maintains that aim while also ensuring there are no unintended adverse impacts on animals. “Butchers are an essential part of the supply chain in New Zealand for pork. At present, there is not enough capacity to hold surplus pigs on farms or pig carcasses in processing facilities, which could create an animal welfare issue. We need them to operating to ensure that pigs can continue to be processed and are not backing up on farms leading to animal welfare issues. ”The pork industry is domestically focused with limited export to the Pacific Islands so there aren’t as many avenues to offload product into other markets. “The pork industry raised this issue with Government and Cabinet agreed that there were strong enough grounds for a change to be made to address specific concerns in relation to animal welfare. Mr O’Connor says butchers who choose to operate will need to follow health guidelines for distancing in the workplace to ensure staff safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Overseer appoints Chief Scientist

Overseer has appointed Dr Jacquie Harper (pictured) as its first Chief Scientist as it invests in improving OverseerFM software for farmers and growers. Overseer Chief Executive Dr Caroline Read said the appointment of a Chief Scientist reflects Overseer’s commitment to transparent and scientifically robust development of the tool. “We want to work across the science sector to ensure credibility of the science behind OverseerFM and to support ongoing capture of new science innovation into the software. “It is important that we strike the right balance between ensuring scientific rigour and incorporating new innovation to support New Zealand farmers to achieve the environmental outcomes asked of them.” Dr Harper is leading Overseer’s science strategy and will be focused on embedding a robust, evidence-based science framework that integrates agricultural and environment science and innovation into OverseerFM’s model development pipeline. She will also strengthen engagement with science and industry so Overseer can ensure it remains the best modelling tool for New Zealand’s primary sector. Dr Harper brings extensive expertise in science strategy, evaluation and translation to the role. She has led science and science evaluation across a range of disciplines, including biomedicine, chemistry and engineering and is a current member of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee. “The science in this area is rapidly evolving and we need to ensure the continuous improvement of the OverseerFM tool is supported by a transparent and scientifically rigorous process for translating science into practice,” says Dr Harper. “Proactive two-way science and industry engagement is vital to ensure the agricultural and environmental sectors can have confidence in OverseerFM. “The Overseer science strategy will concentrate on engagement, science uptake and evaluation to deliver this balance. “In this first phase, the engagement will focus on working with the sector on the co-development of our science. We will also be […]

Low emissions pork sector needs to be considered separately

Proposed reforms to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) must recognise that New Zealand pig farming produces very low emissions. Pig farming currently contributes just 0.2 per cent of New Zealand’s total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) agricultural emissions but pigs have been included in the proposal to price emissions at a farm level. “The research and analysis that has been done to make the decision on pricing agricultural emissions has been based on other farming systems,” says NZPork General Manager David Baines. “However, pigs have monogastric digestive systems, like people, so they naturally produce much lower methane emissions than ruminant animals like cattle or sheep. “Our industry is much smaller, our emissions are comparatively minimal, and our methods of farming are very different. Our farmers are also competing with cheaper imported pork products, which is placing pressure on the industry. “Decisions on emissions pricing need to avoid disproportionately impacting pig farmers by including them in a system that wasn’t designed for them.” NZPork is calling for the Government to consider the impacts of emissions pricing on the pork sector, and to investigate alternative options for supporting emissions reductions. “There is real potential for the pork industry, as a naturally low emission animal protein, to play a valuable role in feeding New Zealanders in our future low emissions economy,” says Mr Baines. “In order to do that, pig farmers need to participate in a system that is fair to them, will help to reduce emissions and will not disproportionately impact them.” Despite already being a low emission sector, pig farmers are committed to reducing GHG emissions. “We are focused on helping our farmers understand the emissions profile of their farm, understand options for emissions reductions at the farm level and supporting them to implement mitigation measures to reduce emissions.”

Sustainable Foods Summit Asia-Pacific Key Topics

Hosted in Singapore on 07-08 September, the Sustainable Foods Summit (https://sustainablefoodssummit.com/asia) will feature ethical sourcing, sustainable ingredients, and marketing developments. Asia is suffering a major biodiversity decline caused by deforestation & habitat loss, climate change, and intensive farming. South-East Asia, a biodiversity hotspot, has lost about 15% of its forests in 15 years according to researchers. By highlighting success stories, this 3rd Asia-Pacific summit aims to encourage ethical sourcing and sustainable food production. Some of the key topics to be covered include. 1. Sustainable foods and biodiversity. Various studies show that organic and sustainable cultivation methods encourage biodiversity in ecosystems. The IBIS rice project is one such example. Launched by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2017, the project involves the production of organic jasmine rice in northern Cambodia. Over 1,000 rice farmer families are benefiting whilst protecting 500,000 hectares of forest and wetlands that are home to 50 endangered wildlife, including the IBIS bird. Nick Spencer, CEO of IBIS Rice, will give an update on the project. He will explain how his enterprise is marketing the organic rice as a premium product to export markets. IBIS rice is currently exported to Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with plans to launch in the UK and Canada. 2. Ethical sourcing of ingredients. A growing number of food and ingredient firms are undertaking ethical sourcing projects in Asia. Some involve environment & biodiversity protection, whilst others focus on social impacts. Givaudan, the world’s largest flavours and fragrances firm, will share its experiences in setting up such projects. Puifung Leung from Fairtrade Hong Kong will highlight the positive impact ethical sourcing can have on producers. 3. Sustainability of seafood. Asian consumers are some of the highest consumers of seafood in the world. However, there are growing concerns about sustainability […]

Hoop Ltd partners with Australian co-packer LJM

New Zealand brand activation specialist Hoop Ltd (Hoop) has formed a joint venture with Australia’s largest pure play co-packer LJM to fill the gap in New Zealand’s co-packing market. The partnership will position the companies as the leading retail co-packing specialists for New Zealand suppliers, with the first run scheduled for May 2020. LJM, employing over 500 people across seven high-tech sites in New South Wales and Victoria (50,000 sqm including Multipack LJM), moves approximately 60 million packaged products across 1000 SKU annually for national and global FMCG, food, beverages, spirits and pharmaceuticals companies. The aim of the joint venture is to be the go-to service provider for all co-packing requirements in the New Zealand market, enabling local suppliers to design and build specialist promotional activities. Chris Hood, Director at Hoop Ltd comments, “The co-packing industry in New Zealand is fragmented. There is a huge gap in the market for a dedicated co-packer to enter and drive the industry forward. LJM’s strong co-packing track record, size, intellectual property and technology combined with Hoop’s marketing and promotional capabilities are expected to be embraced by FMCG brands. “Hoop currently has a national field team of over 350 brand activators and a promotional logistics division. The LJM/Hoop partnership will be able to pre-build stock into displays and the national activator team will support the install and compliance process on the shop floor. A full-service circle of promotional activation will be provided. “There is an evolving need for global brands to rework their stock packing to conform with local regularities and consumer information. Speed to market with full compliance of stock filled displays is a void the new partnership will fill,” added Chris. Lance Miles Director and Founder at LJM, comments, “LJM’s extensive experience in co-packing, combined with Hoop’s client facing marketing capability will […]

Global food industry M&A deals total $199.75m in January 2020

Total food industry M&A deals in January 2020 worth $199.75m were announced globally, according to GlobalData’s deals database. The value marked a decrease of 95.7% over the previous month and a drop of 89.7% when compared with the last 12-month average, which stood at $1.94bn. Comparing deals value in different regions of the globe, Asia-Pacific held the top position, with total announced deals in the period worth $199.08m. At the country level, the Philippines topped the list in terms of deal value at $130m. In terms of volumes, North America emerged as the top region for food industry M&A deals globally, followed by Asia-Pacific and then Europe. The top country in terms of M&A deals activity in January 2020 was the US with 11 deals, followed by China with three and Ethiopia with one. In 2020, as of the end of January 2020, food M&A deals worth $199.75m were announced globally, marking a decrease of 70.01% year on year. Food industry M&A deals in January 2020: Top deals The top five food industry M&A deals accounted for 99.7% of the overall value during January 2020. The combined value of the top five food M&A deals stood at $199.08m, against the overall value of $199.75m recorded for the month. The top five food industry deals of January 2020 tracked by GlobalData were: SEA Diner Holdings’ $130m acquisition of Del Monte Philippines The $40.66m acquisition of Shanghai Ground Food Tech by China Mengniu Dairy THADI’s $18.47m acquisition of Hung Vuong The $8.79m acquisition of Calpis Osotspa by Osotspa Public Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group)’s acquisition of Inner Mongolia Shengmu High-Tech Dairy for $1.16m.

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