Richmond sets sights on deer processing

The company is spending $440,000 to increase the efficiency and processing capacity of its Te Kauwhata venison plant, expanding chiller and boning facilities.

Chief executive, John Loughlin, says the company is already the largest venison processor in the North Island and for a relatively modest investment the company will achieve major competitive advantages.

Mr Loughlin says the improvements will help the company take full advantage of forecast growth in North Island venison numbers over the next three years, which Game Industry Board data shows will increase at 12% a year.

Once the work is completed in November the plant will be able to increase its single shift throughput per day from 180 to 250 deer. The company will also take on an extra seven staff at the plant.

The new expansion will be added to other capital works already underway at the company's Oringi (lamb) and Pacific (beef) plants.

John Loughlin says as the new season starts the company will have spent over $31 million in new processing facilities in less than three years, giving it the most modern export meat processing assets in the North Island.

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