History

 

Stated throughout the history of the Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd, is its commitment to reinvest profits to ensure that it provides state of the art services and facilities to its members.

The following historical brief shows the road the Co-operative has travelled so far:

1933-1943 - The First Decade

The Co-operative was incorporated on the 31st October 1933

The building of the new meat works was completed in 1939

In 1943, The Co-operative's Board of Directors passed a resolution stating that the Co-operative would only operate as a service processing operation and that the Co-operative is not to enter the buying and/or selling of livestock or meats. This original policy is still upheld to this day.

1943-1953 - The Second Decade

Sound profits were achieved throughout the decade

Dividends were first paid to shareholders in 1946 and were then paid each year of the decade thereafter. The Co-operatives Board of Directors has continued to uphold the policy of paying dividends based on annual profits to this day.

Capital expenditure was committed to upgrading the By-Products operation during the decade

A record number of cattle were processed in 1953, 55% higher than the previous record set earlier in the same decade

1953-1963 - The Third Decade

A 400% increase in capital expenditure (over the second decade) was expended on developing and improving the Co-operatives assets and facilities during the third decade

Growth in operations was particularly notable in the area of boneless meats for both export and domestic markets. This expansion demanded an upgrade of the rendering department to keep up with the boning operation

Growth also called for considerable expenditure on blast freezing and freezer storage facilities

The decade also marked the Co-operative's Silver Jubilee in 1958

1963-1973 - The Fourth Decade

The fourth decade proved to be a period for setting new production records for the Co-operative. The total tonnes of boneless meats produced, more than doubled the previous decades output and the number of animals processed, also increased by 13.5% over the last decade

Additional facilities were constructed to handle these increases in production. Namely blast-freezing and freezer storage

As the decade drew to a close, the Co-operative became involved in a joint venture to build a wet-blue tanning plant at Casino

The Co-operative almost doubled the amount of staff it employed over the decade

1973-1983 - The Fifth Decade

During the decade the Co-operative became the largest single slaughtering establishment in Australia, processing double the kilos of carcase weight achieved for the fourth decade

A similar increase in production occurred in the preparation of boneless meats; and processing double the tonnage was achieved on the previous decade

The Co-operative led Australia as a distinct trend emerged for the production of high quality vacuum-packed primal cuts for the domestic and export markets.

1975 saw the opening of the wet-blue tannery adjacent to the Casino processing plant

A record amount of funds were spent on capital expenditure for the development of the abattoir.  This was far in excess of those spent in the fourth decade. In 1983 the abattoir was recognised as a new plant capable of meeting the regulatory requirements of any importing country

In preparing for the Co-operative's Golden Jubilee, the Directors were of the firm view that they had carried on the vision of the Society's founders.

1983-1993 - The Sixth Decade

Over this decade production records continued to be broken. Processing animals increased by 23% over the previous decade, but the most significant increase occurred in the production of boneless meats.  An increase of 106% over the last decade. This was largely due to the trend towards the production of high quality vacuum-packed primal cuts

The Co-operative directed large sums of capital expenditure towards improving the boning room facilities, cold storage capacity for both frozen and chilled cartoned meat and supporting refrigeration equipment

The Co-operative continued employing staff over the decade and again almost doubled employee levels over the previous decade

1993-2003 - The Seventh Decade

Pig processing ceased operation at the Co-operatives Casino plant on 23rd June 1997 and was transferred to Cassino RSM Processing - a joint venture between the Co-operative and R.S. Morrow & Son

A purpose built small stock floor for bovine processing was commissioned in 1997 for animals under 200 kilos. This allowed the beef floor to process grown stock over 200 kilos

1997- Sophisticated computer software and hardware was introduced in 1997 throughout the plant, to improve efficiency and accuracy in weighing, loading, trace-back and inventory control.

An Environmental Officer was appointed in 1998 to further develop the Co-operative's Environmental Management Plan

In 1999, the Co-operative purchased the wet-blue tannery outright, giving it total control over the operation

Capital expenditure (in the first eight years), also included the upgrade of the Casino plant, namely the boning room extension, the offal room upgrade, the building of the further processing room, the purchase of plate freezers and state of the art refrigeration computer software and hardware

In May 2001, the Co-operative achieved the highest ever production month in the boning room. This was due to productivity increases brought about by improving and streamlining the operation

In July 2001, the Co-operative purchased Cassino RSM Processing outright from R.S. Morrow & Son.The Co-operative looks forward to the 21st century with high optimism, but it acknowledges that it must be mindful of its successful past, to guarantee a bright future for its members and employees. 

2003 - 2013 (to date) The Eighth Decade

An electronic payroll system was installed. Minister for Agriculture officially opened the Booyong Boning Room. Sale of the South Gundurimba property occurred.  Lobbying continued on NLIS, fire services levy, payroll tax and importation of raw pig meat. The Co-operative was successful in reducting the cost burden on ISR by 43%, a saving of $1.1 million. BSE in Canada devastated Canada & US export markets. Members attended a workshop on NLIS. A full perimter security system was installed around the Casino facility.

During 2004 - 2005 operations at the Booyong boning room were suspended. The Co-operative experienced an increase in grain fed cattle. The Federal Minister for Agriculture's review of US Quota brings good news to NCMC customers. CHT expanded its green hide contracting arrangements. Labour shortages were experienced in all sectors of the Co-operative.

During 2005 - 2006 wages & associated costs were $40 million. Expenditure of over $5 million was spent on capital assets, including new hydraulic rise & fall stands being installed on the slaughter floor. Escalating Government charges are a major cost impediment to the society. The Co-operative came under media attention over NCMC employment opportunities. The Co-operative continued to improve the Occupational Health Welfare and Safety program. Booyong boning room was again re-opened. It became mandatory for all bovine livestock to carry an NLIS device.

During 2006 - 2007 the Co-operative received financial support from MLA & DSRD for a robotic scribing saw project. The shortage of skilled labour continues to impact negatively on the Society's performance. USA re-enters into the Japanese / Korean market. ISR insurance remains high. New tanning drums were installed at CHT. Management continues to focus on cost containment and product efficiencies. Pigpass & the new NVD for pig producers is rolled out

During 2007 - 2008 the Co-operative trialled a prototype vacuum machine which assisted the boning room in handling the larger product from the increased number of grown animals being processed. All sectors of the business continued to suffer from acute labour shortages.

The Booyong processing plant faced difficulties with reduced numbers for both kill and boning due to pig producers exiting the industry.