Chief executive Graham Shortland said he is pleased to have extended the company’s presence in Southland.
“The recycling of co-products from the agricultural sector performs a valuable service for farmers and processors as well as protecting the natural environment from the impact of dead stock.
“It’s also good news for the local economy as around two dozen contractors are required for slink lamb and calf collection along with about 30 staff for processing.
“A new, bespoke casualty cow truck is being deployed in the Southland region this month and will be based there to provide a year-round service to the dairy industry.”
With the extra coverage in Southland Wallace Group now has a comprehensive New Zealand-wide service for the collection of slink lambs and calves and casualty cows in most regions.
“We are committed to extending collection coverage and providing a timely and efficient service for removing waste materials and turning them into higher-value products,” Shortland said.
“While we have decades of experience in casualty cow collection and recycling of agricultural wastes we are always looking for creative ways we can add value to the industry.”
Last year Wallace Group bought Nichols (NZ), which operates a specialist tannery in Christchurch and a significant casualty stock collector network across the South Island.
Tannery general manager Bernie Lynskey said “Our collection service has created a positive industry for converting lamb and calf skins into high-quality, finished leathers which are exported for glove, garment, accessory and footwear manufacturing.”
Wallace Group picks up about half a million slink lambs annually in the South Island and about 50,000 in the North Island.
