Cootamundra Manildra Meat Company take new direction

Under their former export licence they were able to export to around 25 countries, a figure which has now doubled. 

Manildra chief executive Len Jones said just this week they have achieved listing into Saudi Arabia, which is a massive sheep market, as well as Taiwan, where Australian beef is popular. 

They are working with the Department of Agriculture towards listing in the United States, which would open up another lucrative market and it is thought this will be achieved by the end of the year. 

These increased export opportunities which shore up the future of the plant will, however, have an impact on local clients. 

Previously, the bread and butter of GM Scott has been service kills for local clients. One local butcher, for example, would purchase sheep and lambs from the Coota Saleyards and GM Scott would process them. 

Many on-farm clients would also use the abattoir to process their lambs. 

Under the new direction of the company, this will no longer take place, with Manildra instead taking ownership of what is processed in their plant, according to Mr Jones. 

“We have spoken to all of our clients and have advised that they will need to look for alternative arrangements,” Mr Jones said. 

Clients such as the butchery will be able to purchase meat from the Manildra chillers at competitive rates, according to Mr Jones. 

He anticipates this change will be complete within the next six months, giving clients time to put new arrangements in place. 

“The direction of the meat industry is that we need significant volumes to remain sustainable and that is the reason for the change,” Mr Jones said. 

“It is also important we control the product we process from the farm gate to sale,” he added. 

When Manildra took ownership of the meatworks they were keen to increase production on the under-utilised cattle line. This part of the business has been steadily growing. 

Prior to Manildra coming on board, GM Scott had processed around 50 head of cattle three days a week. This has increased to 100 head five days a week and Mr Jones is confident this number will increase to around the 150 mark within a matter of months. 

The extra cattle production has resulted in 12 new jobs being created to cater for this side of the business. 

Employment in general has increased under Manildra to a current staff of 225, up from 200 just prior to Manildra purchasing GM Scott. 

A large amount of capital expenditure has been taking place at the plant, including an upgrade to the effluent ponds which tripled water holding capacity. 

Mr Jones said on the cards is a new blast freezer and Manildra is in the process of re-designing the beef floor. 

“I am very confident what is happening at Manildra will secure the future of the business,” Mr Jones said.