Bindaree the biggest mover in top Australian companies by turnover

Bindaree the biggest mover in top Australian companies by turnover

Shan Goodwin 17 Mar 2016, 12:33 p.m.

Bindaree Beef on plates in China.

BEEF businesses have made solid gains in the latest Australian top 1000 companies by turnover listed by prominent business analysts IBISWorld, with Northern NSW processor and exporter Bindaree Beef leading the way.

Against a list that includes the likes of BHP, Wesfarmers and the big four banks, the family-owned Bindaree was the biggest mover, jumping an incredible 338 places on the list in a single year.

Bindaree rose from position number 873 in 2014 to 535 last year, on the strength of a 23.5 percent increase in total revenue to $705 million.

Other beef industry big movers included Thomas Foods, which recorded revenue growth of 11.8pc in 2014-15 ($1.23 billion in 2014-15, up from $1.1 billion the previous year) and Sanger, which recorded revenue growth of 27pc in 2014-15, with revenue jumping to $644.0m, up from $506.8m the previous year.

AACo moved up 126 places, recording revenue growth of 27.5 pc.

IBISWorld senior industry analyst Brooke Tonkin said meat processors targeting export markets performed strongly during the 2015 financial year.

“Beef has continued to be a strong export commodity for Australia,” she said.

“Although competition from other prominent markets has increased, demand for high-quality Australian beef has remained strong, particularly from Japan and other nearby Asian nations.”

The vast majority of operators in the meat processing industry, particularly those in the beef segment targeting export markets, performed well in 2014-15.

“Industry revenue grew 17.1pc during 2014-15, which reflects strong demand for beef and record high prices that these operators are benefiting from,” Ms Tonkin said.

“Export revenue grew by 31.5pc during 2014-15, showing that companies targeting export markets fared even better than their peers targeting the local market.

“Players like Bindaree, Thomas Foods and Sanger operate on a larger scale than most others in the meat processing industry. This gives them greater capacity to process cattle and sell beef than smaller, niche players and as such, they have enjoyed particularly strong revenue growth.”

Meanwhile, retail behemoth Wesfarmers has taken the number one position in the list, overtaking major rival Woolworths, on the back of robust performance of its grocery arm Coles, which has gained market share in the supermarkets and grocery stores industry.

The company that fell the furthest was Mount Gibson Iron, which plummeted 511 spots, no doubt a result of enduring numerous challenges including volatile and often lower iron ore prices, a flooded mine and losses in foreign exchange hedges, according to analyst Jem Anning.

Direct-to-customer refocus underpins Bindaree’s move

BINDAREE Beef, which exports to 55 countries, has been shifting away from being a commodity supplier towards being a branded, direct-to-customer business.

That had involved ‘a complete reshaping of the business from the start to finish’, chairman JR McDonald said.

That change in direction ‘to keep up with what the market wants’ is what underpinned the Inverell company’s listing in the latest IBISWorld Top 1000, he said.

“We are starting our third year of this refocus and we still have a lot of areas to improve in,” Mr McDonald said.

“I don’t expect we will have hit our full potential in our branded division for another two to three years.

“The crash in the US market over the past four months has shown us we need to do things better.

“However, we are now dealing in a much higher quality product with new customers and new markets and we need to be able to supply those customers 52 weeks of the year.”

That had required the business to set up supply chains and ‘pathways’ to ensure consistent week-on-week supply.

Mr McDonald said the aim had been to establish a position whereby bigger clients were supplied weekly or monthly while ensuring room for smaller clients to be delivered to once or twice per year.

“In addition, we have now also started to work with producers on growing out weaners ready for Myola feedlot on a fixed price basis so we have a consistent grainfed supply,” he said.

Bindaree livestock manager Andrew Simmonds is also launching a new natural grassfed program - no antibiotics or hormones - this week, which will start in April.

“This is a branded product completely based on our customers’ requirements and certainly something that I expect will become very central to Australian exports into the future,” Mr McDonald said.

Bindaree had moved into areas he never could have imagined.

“We now employ a team based around innovation and research and development of new products and we are about to include a chef in that team to work with our retail customers on new ‘shelf-ready’ products,” he said.

“We have also taken responsibility for marketing our brands in-house with a five-person marketing team based in two countries.

“Beef grading is still the number one issue that is holding back the Australian producer back from getting more value for the carcase and we are a big supporter of Meat Standards Australia grading.

“Unlike 20 years ago, every customer who takes our beef wants to know the exact eating quality of it. We, as an industry, must deliver that.

“Chicken and pork have got it right and they are continually taking market share from the beef industry because we - as an industry - deliver misrepresented beef onto the dinner plate.”

It was imperative the industry had a grading system whereby every animal slaughtered was graded and clearly defined for the customer, he said.

“This business does not allow you to sit still and do what you have been doing for the past 20 years,” Mr McDonald said.

“The truth is, the whole Australian beef Industry needs to re-look at itself and provide itself with a shake-up.

“We have the same convoluted structures and the same industry bodies that have been representing the industry for the past 20 years and the Industry needs to make changes.

“We need better representation, better leadership, less bureaucracy and we certainly need lower levies and costs on the industry.”

The story Bindaree the biggest mover in top Australian companies by turnover first appeared on Farm Online.

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Shopthit Butchery is the only importer and distributor for Bindaree Beef in Vietnam.
You always can find the best cuts of beef in our store at: 
Location 1: 42 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Dakao Ward, District 1, Hochiminh City.
Location 2: 392 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 4, District 3, Hochiminh City.
Location 3: Cho pho Fresh Food, 77B Hoang Van Thu, Ward 15, Phu Nhuan District, Hochiminh City.
HOTLINE: 0946 800006  |  0946 800 008  | 0908 801 108
Website: www.en.shopthit.com | www.shopthit.com
Facebook: /Shopthit.butchery

4 Reasons Grass-Fed Beef May Be Worth Your Buck

4 Reasons Grass-Fed Beef May Be Worth Your Buck

By Paul Salter, MS, RD

Are you wasting your money on grass-fed meat, or is this premium beef worth the extra buck? Discover the nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef here!

There's a war raging over your beef, and you may not even know it! In spite of research spanning over 30 years, the battle between grass- and grain-fed has left many people scratching their heads as to whether or not the higher price per pound of grass-fed is worth their purchase.

A longer time to harvest, the more ethical treatment of the animals, and less total end-product are a few of the many reasons that grass-fed beef costs more than its grain-raised counterpart. For example, a farmer raising and selling grain-fed cattle can break even by selling beef at $1.18 per pound, but the same farmer raising grass-fed beef needs to sell at $2.22 per pound.

Despite the added cost, the main argument for grass-fed beef rests on the fact that the feed provided to cattle has a profound impact on the nutrients within the meat that we end up eating. Grass-fed animals are leaner and provide a beneficial fat profile.

Check out this quick overview to help you decide if grass-fed beef is worth your hard-earned green!

1. SATURATED FAT CONTENT

It was once believed that saturated-fat intake was directly linked to an increased risk of heart disease. However, recent research has squashed this statement and placed the focus more specifically on the type of saturated fat consumed.

There are multiple variations of saturated fat, but what's important to know is that some are associated with a higher risk of disease than others. Grass-fed beef has been shown to be much higher in a "neutral" saturated fat, one that does not have an impact on cardiovascular-disease risk. This fatty acid, also known as stearic acid, is significantly elevated in grass-fed beef.

GRAIN-FED BEEF DISPLAYS A NUTRIENT MAKEUP HIGHER IN THE SATURATED-FAT VARIANTS SPECIFICALLY LINKED TO AN INCREASED RISK FOR HEART DISEASE THAN GRASS-FED BEEF.

Grain-fed beef, on the other hand, displays a nutrient makeup higher in the saturated-fat variants specifically linked to an increased risk for heart disease. This risk is related to the negative impact saturated fat has on total cholesterol levels. So, should you look for a second job so that you can afford this grass-fed goodness? Not so fast.

Consuming grain-fed beef 1-2 times per week probably won't have major negative implications to your health—especially if you eat well and exercise regularly—but if you're able to work in the occasional grass-fed option, you'll be doing your body and taste buds a major favor!

2. CHOLESTEROL CONTENT

Grass-fed beef may actually contain less overall cholesterol than grain-fed beef. Cholesterol content correlates with the fat stored in the animal's muscle (intramuscular fat). Since grass-fed animals are leaner than their grain-fed colleagues, there is less intramuscular fat, and most likely less cholesterol in the meat.

Building off my previous point, remember that not all saturated fats are created equal. Saturated fat impacts total cholesterol, and in the case of grass-fed beef, there is less of this cholesterol-spiking saturated fat, which equates to a decreased risk of health complications compared to grain-fed beef.

Dietary cholesterol isn't necessarily bad, but if you're consistently eating other high-cholesterol foods such as eggs and shrimp, you may want to think twice when making your next beef buy.

3. OMEGA 3S VERSUS OMEGA 6S

Omega-3 fatty acids are particular fats that may have a positive impact on cholesterol and heart health. Significant sources include salmon, flax seed, and walnuts. Excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids can cause an internal inflammatory response that can lead to a slew of health complications. Vegetable oil, salad dressings, and baked goods are high in omega-6 fatty acids.

The typical American diet contains between 11-30 times more omega-6 versus omega-3 content. A key consequence of consuming too great of an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is a considerably elevated risk for numerous health problems, as well as an increased risk for depression, reduced memory with age, and increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

THE TYPICAL AMERICAN DIET CONTAINS BETWEEN 11-30 TIMES MORE OMEGA-6 VERSUS OMEGA-3 CONTENT.

There are far more sources of omega-6-rich foods compared to omega-3 options, but prioritizing omega-3 intake can help minimize the gap. Even though there appears to be no difference in omega-6 content between grass-fed and grain-fed beef, grass-fed does offer a greater amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

Data from multiple studies has concluded that the average ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids in grain-fed and grass-fed beef is 7.65:1 and 1.53:1 respectively.7,14-16 Consistent consumption of grass-fed beef may help to diminish the difference between omega-6 and omega-3 consumption, setting you up for better health!

4. CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID (CLA)

CLA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that has been shown to offer several benefits related to health and body composition. Specifically, it has been associated with a positive change in body composition via the reduction of fat storage.

Due to the nature of the feed, grass-fed beef has a much higher percentage of CLA than grain-fed beef. The formation of CLA occurs in the stomach of cattle before being deposited in fat stores. Production relies heavily on bacterial growth at a specific pH. Grain-heavy feed alters the ideal pH, thus decreasing the production of CLA, and the subsequent amount found in our meat.

It's important to note that most research has been carried out in animal models; however, researchers suggests that 3 grams per day of CLA is the minimum amount to elicit a positive effect in humans. Choosing grass-fed beef will help you get one step closer to achieving this daily goal, since a 4-ounce portion provides anywhere from 500-800 milligrams.

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FEED, GRASS-FED BEEF HAS A MUCH HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF CLA THAN GRAIN-FED BEEF. IT'S YOUR GREEN

Don't have a cow when deciding whether or not you need to buy grass- or grain-fed beef. If you're eating red meat multiple days per week, you may consider choosing grass-fed beef to reap the benefits of less saturated fat and cholesterol, and more omega-3s and CLA. However, if you're like most people who only occasionally eat red meat, you need not worry about spending the extra dough, but you may still benefit from eating a 50-50 split between grass- and grain-fed beef.

Shopthit Butchery is the only importer and distributor for Bindaree Beef in Vietnam. You always can find the best cuts of Grass fed beef in our store at: 

• Location 1: 42 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Dakao Ward, District 1, Hochiminh City.
• Location 2: A001, My Phuoc H6-1, Pham Thai Buong, Tan Phong Ward, Phu My Hung, District 7, Hochiminh City.
• Location 3: Cho pho Fresh Food, 77B Hoang Van Thu, Ward 15, Phu Nhuan District, Hochiminh City.

HOTLINE: 0946 800006 | 0946 800 008 | 0908 801 108

Website: www.en.shopthit.com | www.shopthit.com

Facebook: Shopthitbutchery