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Silver Fern Farms

Silver Fern Farms Te Aroha PlantSilver Fern Farms is New Zealand’s leading processor and marketer of lamb, mutton, beef, venison and associated products to more than 60 countries. Silver Fern Farms is a farmer-controlled co-operative with more than 6,200 Ordinary Shareholders and over 16,000 farmer partners. They have grown to become New Zealand’s second largest primary sector exporter. The company operates 19 processing facilities throughout the country, employing more than 7,000 staff in the peak of the season.

In 2015 the company reported operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $86.9m from an Operating Revenue of $2.45b for the financial year.

The company is one of the largest employers in the Matamata-Piako District. Silver Fern Farms have two plants in the Matamata-Piako District. The Te Aroha plant employs between 450 and 600 people depending on the season.

“Silver Fern Farms’ Te Aroha processing plant was destroyed by fire in 2010. Silver Fern Farms worked with the Council and community to rebuild a state of the art factory which opened in December 2012. We have found the district to be a great place to do business. We are strategically located close to our suppliers, with good infrastructure around our sites and have found the District Council to be good partners. Council has also formed a ‘major business’ forum which we engage with.”

M.Dean McNaught, Regional Plant Manager, Northern North Island

www.silverfernfarms.co.nz 

Local business success stories