Alliance Group's newest independent director Vanessa Stoddart describes the meat industry as being ''at the heart'' of New Zealand. She talked to agribusiness reporter Sally Rae during the company's inaugural Pure South conference in Queenstown this week.
Alliance Group chairman Murray Taggart is standing by his comment that Fonterra director John Monaghan has withdrawn from the director appointment process - despite Mr Monaghan maintaining he has not.
More than 200 meat workers at the Alliance Group's Pukeuri meat works, who were laid off temporarily last week when the plant's exports to China were halted, still have no idea when they can return to work.
Southland-based meat company Alliance Group held a series of supplier roadshows throughout the country last week. Agribusiness reporter Sally Rae attended a roadshow at Pleasant Point, where the company outlined what had been a challenging year, and previewed the coming season.
Alliance Group has announced new procurement policies, involving financial incentives, to "recognise and reward" committed loyal supply by shareholders.
Meat exporter Alliance Group is one of the companies involved in trialling new refrigeration technology that shipping line Maersk expects will cut its annual CO2 emissions by 500,000 tonnes.
Alliance Group has recorded an operating surplus before pool distributions, non-recurring expenses and tax of $20.7 million for the year to September 30 on turnover of $1.5 billion - down on the previous year's result of $29.6 million on turnover of $1.4 billion.
Maniototo farmer Dawn Sangster is seeking a place on the Alliance Group board, motivated by a desire to contribute to New Zealand's sheep and beef industry and to put newly-honed leadership and governance skills to use.
Emissions from the Pukeuri meat processing plant boiler might have to be lowered by Alliance Group if a resource consent is granted to North Otago's biggest employer.