T&R Group acquires Country Fresh to create Australia’s largest family-owned mutton and lamb processing company

T&R Pastoral is pleased to announce the successful completion of its purchase of Country Fresh Australia and Country Fresh America.

The acquisition under the T&R Group creates Australia’s largest family-owned mutton and lamb processing company with combined capacity of 26,000 sheep and lambs per day. The company also processes 800 cattle per day.

T&R will assume operational control of Country Fresh from the 5th July 2010.

T&R Chief Executive Officer Darren Thomas said the T&R Group was excited about the acquisition of Country Fresh – a family company operated by the JSA Jackson Group.

“We have invested heavily in markets around the world and in Australia and believe this deal will of great benefit to regional NSW and QLD,” Mr Thomas said.

“It offers the farmers of NSW and QLD an expanded marketing alternative for their stock.

“For Country Fresh employees it will be business as usual. For the farmers and livestock agents of NSW and QLD they will now have extra staff livestock buyers  to service their requirements. We will be proactive in offering forward contracts, over the hooks selling as well as the traditional on-farm buying.

“Country Fresh has a loyal and diverse range of customers in Australia and overseas and we will endeavor to service their requirements as diligently as the Jackson Family has over many years.

“T&R Pastoral would like to thank Mr. John Jackson for his cooperation during the sale process and wish him and his family every success in their future  endeavors. This is great day for regional NSW and QLD with the townships of Tamworth and Wallangarra sure to receive a boost in employment and their respective economies.”

Mr. John Jackson, Chairman of the JSA Jackson Group, said both he and his son Graham were proud to be able to pass the company on to a true Australian family-owned operation.

“Industry needs rationalisation and we believe this takeover by the Thomas Family will drive the whole meat industry forward in Australia and overseas,” Mr Jackson said.

“The meat industry over the past 50 years has been very good to our family and we have thoroughly enjoyed every part of our companies’ expansion over this period.”

Mr. Jackson attributes his family success in the meat industry to a number of factors but there is one important point.

“The meat business is all about people, we could not have built this business to where it is today without the support our employees,” he said.

“Their loyalty and hard work over many years has been the foundation  to the companies’ success.

“The Jackson family would like to sincerely thank all these people.

“We would also like to thank our clients, suppliers, bankers, carriers, agents, livestock growers and many others that are too numerous to mention  that have contributed to Country Fresh’s success.”

The Jackson Group was advised by Ernst & Young Mergers and Acquisitions, Sydney.

T&R looks forward to continuing  the strong relationships that Country Fresh has formed with the farmers of Australia and customers globally.
 

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