Milmeq, a New Zealand leader in high-tech food processing systems, has won an AUD$18m contract to provide its advanced technology to a major new beef processing facility in Australia's Northern Territory.
Mike Lightfoot, Milmeq's CEO, confirmed the company will supply a full line of processing technology to the state-of-the-art $90m Livingstone Valley facility, being built by the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) about 50km from Darwin. He said the technology will put the new processing facility among the world's leaders in moving to highly technological processes, which the company has developed in New Zealand.
"We are really proud of winning this contract. It confirms Milmeq's leadership in top-end technology. We also see it as a win for the New Zealand technology and manufacturing sector in a competitive global market," Mr Lightfoot said.
Founded in 1824, AACo is the oldest operating company in Australia, running more than 600,000 head of cattle across 7.2 million hectares of land. The Livingstone Valley facility will be capable of processing 220,000 cattle a year, ending a current need to truck stock long distances to eastern and southern plants. Stu Cruden, general manager for the AACo Project, said the Australian company chose Milmeq from a highly competitive field because of its ability to provide an advanced total turnkey solution to all refrigeration and processing needs.
"A major 'green fields' development like this attracts a lot of competition. We chose Milmeq for its ability to provide a full range of specialist systems. Milmeq has an outstanding record in taking food products through the whole processing chain. Having engaged Milmeq in the design phase of this facility we have been delighted by the expertise and experience they bring to delivering results," Mr Cruden said.
Milmeq will supply the facility with all its processing equipment, including boning and slaughtering process equipment, refrigeration, air conditioning, chilling and freezing systems, along with operations for materials handling and palletising. Milmeq will begin work on the site in October 2013, with the facility scheduled for completion in mid-to-late 2014.
