FRESH MEATS NZ LTD
One of the important steps for IFL Group has been to develop processing options in support of the ‘integrated’ approach to business. It has been a logical step to introduce our own processing sites as this has allowed IFL to retain control of the process beyond the farm based steps of genetics, breeding, weaning, growing and finishing. Through processing IFL has been able to develop a specification link that extends to the market place. Equally, we are now able to focus on our customer needs and to drive this specification back down through the chain.
In June 2006 IFL acquired the processing business of Fresh Meats NZ Ltd located on the eastern region of the North Island of New Zealand. Fresh Meats is principally an ovine processing facility with slaughter facilities. Fresh Meats processes approx 250,000 lambs and sheep annually.
Operating the Fresh Meats plant has allowed us to develop the capability to design value added products targeted to a specific customer use. We use minimal mechanical machinery allowing us to take a more hand crafted approach and a flexibility that some larger producers are not able to achieve.
Our range of Lamb marketed under the Fresh Meats label continues to grow and has become well-recognized through the specialty food sector. The primary intent at Fresh Meats NZ is for the end consumer to enjoy eating our Lamb and know that our products taste great, year round.