Foodplus: value added to beef

More value is to be generated from beef with the development of innovative new products for food, ingredients and healthcare, thanks to the latest Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme.

PGP co-funding has been approved by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) for an $87 million Foodplus programme, run by meat processor and exporter Anzco Foods. The PGP fund is committing $43.5 million over seven years towards the programme, with ANZCO matching that funding.

Foodplus will identify opportunities to create new products, with a particular focus on parts of the beef carcase that currently generate less value. ANZCO has identified three markets for innovative new products: food, ingredients and healthcare.

“Adding further value to the carcase is essential for the future success of the meat industry,” MPI director-general Wayne McNee says. “ANZCO’s vision for Foodplus is relevant and bold and now backed by a significant investment.”

Sir Graeme HarrisonANZCO Foods chairman, Sir Graeme Harrison is enthusiastic about the potential of the new Foodplus programme to enhance business opportunities for the sector.

It will give a vital boost to the industry, he says. “For too long, the meat industry has been criticised as being a production-led commodity business characterised by high volatility and marginal profitability. This government-industry partnership provides a springboard to further transform our industry, to leverage off the inherent strengths of our farming practices and animal health status and to collaborate and capitalise on the benefits of quality New Zealand research and innovation.”

“As Foodplus begins to use the PGP’s comprehensive research opportunities, ANZCO will introduce more projects that will certainly challenge and re-invent the traditional uses of beef cattle in particular.

“The Foodplus initiative will build on the existing expertise within ANZCO Foods but also add considerable new processes and opportunities never before realised in the meat industry,” says Sir Graeme.

Rennie Davidson, chief executive  of ANZCO’s Food & Solutions division says ANZCO welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Crown on the Foodplus programme. “It is a large-scale project that wouldn’t be achievable without collaboration. We’re excited about the potential that this will bring to the sector.”

The company also recently announced a company-wide energy management programme, which will see it working with the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority’s business unit over two years to achieve savings of $2 million a year in its processing plant energy usage.

ANZCO Foods is a multinational group of companies and one of New Zealand’s largest exporters, with sales of $1.3 billion and employing more than 3,000 staff worldwide.

This article has appeared in Food NZ magazine (February/March 2013) and is reproduced with kind permission.

ANZCO starts energy management programme

One of New Zealand’s largest exporters is set to save more than $2 million a year and enhance its global reputation as a sustainable producer through a company-wide energy management programme.

The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority’s EECA Business announced yesterday it would support the initiative over two years to help meat processor and exporter ANZCO generate long-term energy savings in its New Zealand plants.

With annual sales of $1.25 billion, ANZCO Foods Ltd processes and markets New Zealand beef and lamb products around the world. The firm employs over 3,000 staff world-wide and has 11 meat processing plants in New Zealand.

This programme will target a reduction in its processing plant energy use by 25 gigawatt hours (GWh), returning ongoing annual savings of $2.45 million after two years.

EECA Business general manager Ian Niven says that making better use of its energy will provide far-reaching benefits for the company and congratulated the company on its vision.

“Globally New Zealand is recognised for sustainably produced, premium quality meat products. And energy efficiency is one of the best ways to strengthen environmental credentials.

“By taking a lead in energy efficiency, ANZCO is making significant energy cost savings and signaling to its customers that it is committed to sustainable production,” he says.

Mark Clarkson, ANZCO Foods.

ANZCO managing director, Mark Clarkson says the programme will deliver on many levels for the company.

“Sustainability is key to the ANZCO brand and we are always looking for new ways to build on our reputation for environmentally responsible production, so reducing energy costs is a priority.”

The programme involves the establishment of a group-wide energy management plan, led by a team responsible for putting in place up to $5 million of identified energy efficiency projects.

With the assistance of one of EECA Business’ industrial programme partners, ANZCO will set up a system to help keep the programme on-track, measure efficiency outcomes, and develop case studies for a number of the projects.

Ian Niven says management commitment is key to the programme achieving its objectives.

“From the Board of Directors through to site operations, ANZCO leadership has indicated it wants to foster a culture of efficient energy use throughout the company.

“Such commitment is important to the success of making enduring improvements to energy management.”

EECA Business funding of up to $450,000 will be made available in stages upon achievement of various programme milestones.