Edinburgh Parks team reduces water usage by thinking outside the box

The Edinburgh Park sustainability team worked with the oven manufacturer to confirm they could safely remove the use of water to cool its oven door seals.

At Ingham’s, we are continually looking for more sustainable alternatives in our everyday operations. 

Our Sustainability Team at the Edinburgh Parks Further Processing Plant, located in South Australia, has representatives from the health and safety, environment, production and engineering teams who are working together to identify opportunities to reduce their site’s water usage.

The two ovens on the site, installed 12 years ago, use water to cool the oven door seals. This adds 5.7 million litres of water usage to the site each year. The team decided to challenge this operational set up and contacted the manufacturer to understand any risks associated with reducing or eliminating the use of the cooling water. With the technical information gained from the manufacturer, the team conducted a risk assessment to ensure there were no risks to the health, safety and quality of our products and trialled the ovens operating without using any water for the door seals. The trial was a success! 

Congratulations to the Edinburgh Parks Sustainability Team members, David Saunders, Michael Whiteley, Lisa Sime, Felix Gronning, Mark Shandley and Kim McLaughlin for saving 5.7 million litres of water, equivalent to more than two Olympic size swimming pools, by thinking outside the box to create a better tomorrow for our planet. 

ASX Release – Change of leadership

The Chairman of Ingham’s, Peter Bush, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer Jim Leighton would be leaving the role effective today and returning to the United States. Andrew Reeves, currently a non-executive director, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Peter Bush said “Jim leaves as a good leaver and with our very best wishes. He is returning to the United States for personal reasons. Jim joined us in 2018 and, as our recently released 1H results demonstrate, he and his team have significantly improved the operations of our company. The board and I thank Jim and his family for managing the many challenges they have faced since Jim’s arrival over two years ago. Jim and his team have built a solid foundation for growth. We wish Jim and his family all the best.”

“Ingham’s is fortunate to have someone of Andrew Reeves experience and calibre on our board and in a position to become our Chief Executive Officer. His great knowledge of Ingham’s will ensure a smooth transition and no loss of momentum in the business.”

“Andrew is an experienced consumer goods executive in the food and beverage sector who has served as CEO and Managing Director of the Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries of large listed Australian and multinational companies. Andrew’s most recent executive role was as CEO of George Weston Foods in Australia and New Zealand (a subsidiary of Associated British Goods PLC), a role he held between 2011 and 2016. He has also held senior roles as Managing Director, Lion Dairy & Drinks (formerly National Foods Limited), Managing Director Lion Nathan – Australia, and Managing Director – Australia Coca-Cola Amatil. Andrew has also served as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Australian Food & Grocery Council” Peter Bush said.

Andrew Reeve’s professional experience and the terms of his appointment are set out in the ASX Release announcement.

Jim Leighton will remain with the company until the end of the financial year to facilitate an orderly handover. Jim’s entitlements on ceasing employment with Ingham’s are as previously advised to the market. Jim will remain eligible to receive a short-term incentive (STI) for FY21, in line with Ingham’s usual STI arrangements. Jim will also be eligible to receive a partial long-term incentive (LTI) award for FY20.

Recognising shareholder feedback on proposed changes to Ingham’s LTI arrangements during 2020, the partial FY20 LTI provided to Jim will be granted on the terms originally approved by Ingham’s shareholders at the company’s 2019 AGM. However, the LTI award for FY20 will only relate to the total shareholder return (TSR) component of the original proposed award (being 25% of its original face value) and will also be pro rated on cessation of Jim’s employment (based on the portion of the performance period served). The award will be subject to testing at the end of the performance period, in June 2022. Jim will not be eligible to receive an LTI award for FY21.

The Board is conducting a search for an independent director to replace Andrew on the Board.

This announcement has been authorised by the Inghams Group Limited Board.

Read the full ASX Release here. 

Ingham’s Murarrie site achieves world-class water stewardship

The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) has awarded Platinum certification to Ingham’s Murarrie Primary Processing Plant in Queensland, achieving the highest level in the International Water Stewardship Standard. 

The AWS standard certification drives, recognises and rewards good water stewardship performance of sites that demonstrate responsible and sustainable water management. 

Worldwide, there are currently 128 AWScertified sites and 21 have achieved Platinum certification. Of those, Ingham’s has four sites certified to the AWS standard with two now achieving Platinum certification. Proudly, our Somerville Primary Processing site in Victoria was the first in the world to achieve Platinum certification in 2018.

The Murarrie team, led by Operations Manager, David Gent, has achieved Platinum certification by identifying its water impacts, challenges and sphere of influence in the catchment where they operate. By doing this, the site engages with key stakeholders and understands the water-related risks and opportunities that are available.

Several projects have been completed over the past 12 months as part of the site’s Water Stewardship Plan with great benefits for nourishing our planet 

Murarrie’s Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Brett Porter has shared these initiatives with local community groups, and said: “We’ve rejuvenated six of the site’s ponds that now hold 60 million litres of water and provide a fantastic habitat for the local wildlife, the volume of the on-site wastewater treatment plant’s sludge has reduced and the site’s water consumption has reduced by one-third over the last three years. In addition, the site has reduced its trade waste to almost zero and has more projects planned to further reduce its water impact. I’m proud of the good we are doing for our planet.” 

AWS’ Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Megan McLeod, has congratulated the Murarrie team’s Platinum achievement: “On behalf of AWS Asia-Pacific, I would like to congratulate the Ingham’s team on achieving Platinum status, the highest level of AWS Standard Certification, for their plant at Bulimba Creek, Murarrie, Queensland, Australia.  

Ingham’s continues to clearly demonstrate the highest level of commitment to water stewardship with the Murarrie site being part of the group of Ingham’s AWS Standard Certified Sites at Somerville in Victoria, Bolivar in South Australia, and Te Aroha in New Zealand. 

Ingham’s is recognised as the sector leader in sustainability and water stewardship and is a key member of the Alliance for Water Stewardship.” 

We are proud of this remarkable achievement by the Murarrie team and thank David Gent and Brett Porter for leading the water stewardship program that is truly world-class. 

Learn more about the AWS standard here. 

Zero waste at Dry Creek

(From left to right) Simon Himmelhoch-Mutton, Craig Curnow, David Myall

The Ingham’s team at our Dry Creek Distribution Centre in South Australia has achieved zero waste going to landfill.

This great outcome was achieved with the support of the team at the SUEZ-ResourceCo Alternative Fuels facility who take general waste to manufacture processed engineering fuel (PEF). 

The general waste from the Ingham’s Dry Creek site contains no food waste, liquids of putrescible materials, making it the perfect material for manufacturing PEF, a viable alternative to fossil fuels for use in cement kilns. The PEF manufactured from the facility is supplied to a local cement manufacturer, which in turn is reducing their natural gas usage by around 30 million cubic metres annually. 

We are proud to be contributing towards creating an alternative fuel and reducing the overall energy footprint in the local area by diverting our waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfill.  

At Ingham’s, we are Nourishing our Planet by reducing our landfill waste impact on the local environment and the communities we are part of.  

Our thanks goes to the Dry Creek team, led by David Myall, who have made it possible for the site to achieve zero waste!

Ingham’s proud connection to its turkey farmers 

Ingham’s has a proud connection to the land through its farming community. 

This includes fourth-generation turkey farmers in the southern highlands, Andrew and Jessica Pace. 

Giselle Barrero, Ingham’s Turkey Business Manager

Turkey Business Manager, Giselle Barrero, recently visited them in the lead-up to Christmas to meet Andrew and see his operations first-hand. Here’s what she had to say.  

Turkey, or Guajolote as we called it in Mexico, was always at the heart of the table for any special occasion when I was growing up – Easter, my Grandma’s birthday, Christmas time and then a regular sandwich filling at school! 

After working in the sales team at Ingham’s for more than two years, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Turkey business and get to know the team. This took me to the Southern Highlands to meet the Pace family. My first impressions on arrival to their farm was a sense of peace, the overwhelming beauty of the countryside and Andrew’s warm hospitality. Jessica wasn’t able to join us as they’ve just welcomed their second child. 

Andrew is a fourth-generation farmer and he and Jessica have been caring for turkeys for five years. Andrew tends to the turkeys like a parent tends to its newborn – he’s up early, he cares deeply about their welfare and even gives them toys to keep them busy during the day. 

Andrew and Jessica Pace

It is really satisfying to see first-hand that our animal’s welfare is a priority in being reared to nourish our communities. This includes one of their best customers, their local rotisserie, who says their customers love the Pace farm’s turkeys. And why wouldn’t they? It’s a tasty and healthy protein option! 

It’s been a tough year for our farmers, who have had to contend with drought and local bushfires. These days we hear a lot about mindfulness eating and, so, this year, I would encourage everyone to know where your food comes from and buy homegrown to support our local farmers and local businesses. And, as the Turkey Business Manager, of course I hope you celebrate and share a turkey this Christmas! 

Click here for Turkey recipes  

Click here for more information on our farming and animal welfare  

 

Ingham’s freight network reduces greenhouse gas emissions

(From left) Jaffer Alimohamed, Acting Site Manager, Wanneroo Feedmill; Cezar from Temples Pty Ltd.

At Ingham’s, we are continuously looking for ways to Nourish our World and our planet by reducing our impact on the local environment where we live and work 

Our procurement, milling and farming teams in Western Australia has been working on improving the efficiency of the freight network that delivers feed to the farms by focusing on reducing the number of trips done by the delivery trucks.  

Over the last year, the teams have collaborated and implemented a new larger trailer configuration for the delivery trucksThis has led to a reduction of a total of 21 deliveries per month, or 252 truck movements per year, that service 15 broiler farms.   

The new feed delivery configuration has resulted in a reduction of 71 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annumwhich is equivalent to removing 31 cars off the road in Australia every year.

Less traffic to our farms has also lowered the poultry farm biosecurity risks, decreased administration, and increased productivity between the mill and the farms. 

Ingham’s is proud of its people for collaborating to create a better tomorrow for our planet. 

Bolivar’s blue initiative saves 100 million litres of water

Water is an essential resource for Ingham’s, and we’re continually driving more sustainable water management in our business to reduce our environmental footprint.

Pictured (left to right) are Paul Stevenson, Alan Garrod and Nishant Goundar who are helping us to reduce our water usage and our environmental footprint.

Our primary processing plants use water as they process birds. Our Bolivar Primary Processing Plant in South Australia has the highest water usage in our business, using 20 per cent of all water. Despite this, it is one of four Ingham’s sites certified to the international Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard for its sustainable water usage.

In April, the Bolivar team took on an additional challenge to reduce its water usage through a project known as Bolivar Blue. The Bolivar Blue project set an ambitious target to reduce water usage by 20 per cent; from 18.3 litres down to 15 litres per bird processed. Their target will reduce annual water usage by 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools, the equivalent of 200 million litres of water.

The philosophy used by the Bolivar Blue project team was simple and based on the following guiding principles:

  • challenge the status quo by questioning current use rates and settings
  • challenge existing norms and behaviours such as “it’s always been done this way”, and
  • investigate opportunities to recycle water in certain processes or areas in the plant.

Pleasingly, the Bolivar Blue project team has already reduced water usage by 11 per cent – or 100 million litres of water – and are well on track to achieve their targeted 20 per cent reduction by the end of the year.

Ingham’s is committed to Nourish our World and our planet through an ongoing commitment to manage sustainable water and environmental practices.

Turning plastic bags into hardhats

Each year, Ingham’s Hemmant and Wacol Feedmills were sending more than 5,000 heavy-duty plastic bags to landfill that were providing bulk feed ingredients to the mills. 

The team thought there must be a better way to dispose of these polypropylene bags, which can take more than 3,000 years to break down.

After contacting several plastic recyclers in the area, the feedmill team partnered with PRC Recycling at Ascot, Queensland, to divert the plastic bags and other packaging materials to be recycled.

PRC then converts the plastic bags to small black pellets for use as raw materials to manufacture polypropylene plastic products, such as safety hard hats, which are standard personal protective equipment at Ingham’s feedmills.

As well as being a sustainable closed-loop solution, the team has reported a saving of $4,000 a year on their overall waste disposal costs.

Ingham’s would like to thank its people at Hemmant and Wacol Feedmills for creating a better tomorrow for our planet by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Well done Todd Brunsdon and Andrew Barker for serving our Purpose to Nourish Our World.

Ingham’s feeds 500,000 through Foodbank

Foodbank fights hunger by sourcing food for people in need across Australia. 

In the first seven months of this year, Ingham’s has donated 277,500 kilograms of product to Foodbank, which has gone towards making up 500,000 meals for people across Australia.

Ingham’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Leighton, said: “Foodbank plays a major role, especially during times of crises, by gathering food donations and distributing them for people in need to turn into wholesome, nourishing mealsIngham’s is proud to be able to help out the community with our product donations.”

Foodbank is a not-for-profit organisation that provides 77 million meals a year via a network of more than 2,400 frontline charities and 3,000 schools, and provides the equivalent of 210,000 meals a day. 

Ingham’s has donated to Foodbank since 2012 and ensures that food waste is reduced by making all efforts to redirect perfectly edible food products to those who need it.  

Sadly, 815,000 people a month seek food relief in Australia. Did you know that every $1 you donate to Foodbank would provide another two meals for Australians in need? To find out more about Foodbank and to support our partner in the community please visit their website. 

Ingham’s Purpose is to Nourish Our World, and supporting Foodbank directly aligns to our commitment to nourish the communities where we live and work with our trusted products. 

Vale Bob Ingham AO

The Ingham’s team across Australia and New Zealand wish to express their condolences to the Ingham’s family on the news of the passing of Bob Ingham AO on Tuesday, 22 September 2020.
Chairman, Peter Bush said: “I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Ingham’s family. Bob and the Ingham’s family have created legacy organisations in both the Ingham’s business and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research. I am proud to continue to support the foundations they laid.”
Bob Ingham, together with his brother Jack, expanded the Ingham’s business to become the largest integrated poultry producer across Australia and New Zealand.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Leighton, said: “As custodian of the Ingham’s name, heritage and brand, we are committed to building upon the legacy that Bob and the Ingham’s family has provided. Our people are fondly sharing their memories this week of a man of high integrity and who was always vocal about valuing the hard-working people in the business. Our condolences go to the Ingham’s family.”
As a mark of our respect, and at the request of the family in lieu of flowers, Ingham’s will make a donation to the Ingham institute for Applied Medical Research on behalf of our team across Australia and New Zealand.
Click here to join in making a contribution to the work of the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.