Christchurch Opening Brings Jobs And Doggie Delights

5 April 2018

Christchurch Opening Brings Jobs And Doggie Delights

Huge worldwide demand for premium natural pet food is behind Ziwi’s expansion into the South Island this week with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Christchurch.

The Mt Maunganui based company, a global leader in air-dried technology and the largest New Zealand exporter of premium pet food, is a rapidly growing $40m export focussed business. Ziwi’s first South Island operation, based at Burnham, will enable the company to double its capacity within the next year and employ more than 30 people.

Managing director, Richard Lawrence, said Ziwi’s gently air-dried, quality New Zealand free-range meat and seafood has struck a chord with pet owners around the world.

“With increasing pet ownership and a growing awareness of pet nutrition, consumers are demanding quality, nutritious meals for their pets and this has resulted in massive growth for Ziwi and the New Zealand petfood industry as a whole,” said Mr Lawrence.

“This investment in Christchurch comes on the back of three years of double digit growth and signals another exciting chapter for the business.”

Along with the expansion into the South Island Ziwi has partnered with ANZCO Foods to form a new joint venture operation producing pet treats and oral health products. The New Zealand Natural Chews and Treats Company will also operate out of the Burnham site to produce a range of natural, premium products for export markets.

”This is ANZCO’s first foray into the pet food segment and it will be providing Ziwi with access to large quantities of premium quality, grass fed products. The development of these treats and chews will enable the establishment of new international markets. There is huge potential for growth and we can do it all with New Zealand based, family owned manufacturing operations and the very best of New Zealand suppliers,” said Mr Lawrence.

Ziwi exports to over 20 countries with its main markets being the USA, Australia and a rapidly growing China.

New Zealand pet food exports are valued at over $120m and have been growing at over 10% compound annual growth rate for the last five years.*

Peter Chrisp, chief executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise said New Zealand is well positioned to be global leaders in the pet food industry.

“Pet owners all over the planet are increasingly focusing on their pet’s health and nutrition, and New Zealand’s sustainable and authentic supply chains can deliver these benefits. So this expansion by Ziwi is not only good for New Zealand, but is good for the world,” said Mr Chrisp.

Some of Ziwi’s biggest independent pet food retailers from North America as well as China’s largest pet e-commerce site operator will be in New Zealand next week to visit the new facilities.

*Statistic NZ Data to 31st December 2017

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