Leadership Shake-Up at Alliance Group with Two Key Appointments
Alliance has announced two key appointments within its senior leadership team.
Irish meat processor Dawn Meats is set to acquire a 70% stake in Alliance Group, according to a report in The Irish Times.
In an article published on Friday, The Irish Times says the family-owned company has emerged as the front-runner to take a controlling stake in Alliance. It understands the bid involves a payment of NZ$270 million (€140 million) for the 70% stake in the co-operative.
Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne has responded to the media report, pointing out that at the start of this capital raise process, they made it clear that they wouldn’t be commenting on any market speculation.
“Our goal is to secure more than $200 million to strengthen our balance sheet and provide a much more stable financial foundation for the business.
“Because of the commercial sensitivities involved and the confidentiality agreements now in place, we are limited in how much we can share.”
Wynne says Alliance will be providing another update to farmers later this month ahead of a series of road show meetings followed by a formal shareholder vote in the next few months.
“We have the full support of our banking syndicate with continued financing. There is confidence in our performance, in the capital raise process, the investor offers and our farmer-shareholders.”
The Irish Times article claims this is the Irish company’s second tilt at a major acquisition in NZ’s meat sector in a decade – speculating that Dawn Meats tried to buy a stake in Silver Fern Farms in 2016 but was outbid by Shanghai Maling.
The report also says Alliance’ s farmer shareholders will be briefed on August 12th on the potential sale.
“It is understood that Dawn Meats has pulled ahead of several rival NZ meat exporters and the Saudi Public Investment Fund-owned SALIC after Alliance called for non-binding indicative offers in February,” the report says.
According to Dawn Meats’ website, it processes 3.5 million sheep and 1 million cattle annually, processing 300,000 tonnes of meat per annum.
A new joint investment of $1.2 million aims to accelerate farmer uptake of low-methane sheep genetics, one of the few emissions reduction tools available to New Zealand farmers.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has issued a stark warning about the global implications of the ongoing Gulf crisis.
Fonterra has announced interim changes to the leadership of its Global Ingredients business.
New Zealand agritech company Halter has announced unveiled a new direct-to-satellite technology solution for its smart collars for beef cattle, unlocking virtual fencing for some of the country's most remote farming regions.
Dairy Women's Network (DWN) has announced a new limited edition DWN Monopoly NZ Dairy Farming Edition, created to celebrate the people, places and seasons.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) and Federated Farmers say they welcome the announcement last week that the Government will increase the conveyance allowance by 30%.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.