January 21 2010

A Methven based stockfeed business has just changed hands, but locals have still retained a stake in the company.

Advanced Feed Ltd will now be jointly owned by Australian based Gardner Smith Ltd as well as a group of Ashburton District investors.

 General manager Richard Lee said it was exciting to have the opportunity to be part of Advanced Feed.

 “We are optimistic about the future of the dairy and grain industries within the Canterbury region and this business is involved in both. We look forward to growing our business with our existing customers and suppliers, particularly in the local community.”

 The two parties to the joint venture, Nutritional Investments Limited and Gardner Smith NZ Limited, brought different areas of knowledge to Advanced Feed and these skills would be used to bring new feed products to the market, he said.

 Gardner Smith NZ general manager Scott Mitchell said the acquisition of Advanced Feed by a joint venture between Nutritional Investments and Gardner Smith would allow further leverage of expertise in feed ingredient sourcing and logistics, together with the nutritional and farm expertise.

 “Advanced Feed is in a prime location in relation to both grain supply and dairy feed demand. The business will remain Canterbury based and continue to source grain and deliver feed Canterbury wide.

 “While we have expertise in international logistics, this business will run on local grain,” Mr Smith said.

 The vendors of Advanced Feed Limited, John and Jane Wright, say they are pleased the new owners will be continuing business as usual with no staff changes, while also continuing to produce the existing range of deer, sheep and horse feed as well as dairy feed products.

 Gardner Smith is an Australasian based business supplying a range of products and services to the food, energy, manufacturing and agricultural industries.

 Its current interests in New Zealand include supplying, trading and distribution of bulk oils and fats, together with Pacific Terminals, a complete logistics service for handling, storage, blending and transport of bulk liquids.

 All contact details for Advanced Feed including its postal address, phone and fax numbers will be retained by the new company.