Halter raises $165m, company valued at $1.65b
New Zealand tech company Halter has raised $165 million from investors in its latest fundraising round.
Farmlands says that improved half-year results show that the co-op’s tight focus on supporting New Zealand’s farmers and growers is working.
For the half year ending December 31, 2024, Farmlands is reporting a 14% increase in revenue, to $477.6 million.
It says this reflects that customers are buying more from their Kiwi-owned co-op.
An improved half-year EBITDA - up 49% to $17.7m - is the realisation of operational improvements made over the last 36 months – indicating that Farmlands is growing smarter and more efficiently, it says.
“Delivering a strong first-half result is vital as it includes spring – the most important season for rural supplies, says Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton.
“This result means we are in a good position to continue to support our farmers and growers in the second half of the year, while holding our financial position,” says Houghton.
She adds that the co-op’s focus on operational efficiency is delivering these positive results and that they are not coming at the expense of customer service and benefits.
"We're building a stronger Farmlands that's better equipped to serve our shareholders. These financial numbers show we're moving in the right direction, and the improved customer sentiment we’re seeing is just as important."
Farmlands customers and shareholders are demonstrating that they understand what the co-op is working to do: provide key farm inputs at the best possible price, delivered when they are needed.
Customer sentiment is 27% up on the same period last year. Satisfaction with product range and pricing has improved significantly, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the recently completed three-year product and supply-chain transformation. Customer perception of staff knowledge and expertise has also grown through a period where Farmlands has been investing in its frontline teams, including in key sectors like horticulture and agronomy.
“We are just beginning to see the improvements that were baked into our transformation strategy, and our customers and shareholders are set to benefit even more in future as a strong financial position becomes our foundation for growth,” says Houghton.
Key indicators of smart investment, innovation, and growth:
"The relationship between Farmlands and our shareholders is built on mutual support. As the farming sector strengthens, having a strong cooperative that consistently delivers value will be more important than ever,’ says Houghton.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
A former Fonterra executive is the new chair of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
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