Farm Weekly

AMPC's work is just beginning

AMPC CEO Chris Taylor says the organisation is turning its attention to a full slate of R&D initiatives after a successful Beef 2021
AMPC CEO Chris Taylor says the organisation is turning its attention to a full slate of R&D initiatives after a successful Beef 2021

As the research and development corporation that services the red meat processing sector in Australia, AMPC decided to make its presence felt at the beef industry's premier event, and CEO Chris Taylor said it was an objective well and truly achieved.

"We wanted visitors to Beef 2021 to walk away with a real sense of how forward-looking the processing sector is," Chris said.

"We set out to make our stand the must-see installation of the event, by showcasing some truly incredible collaborative research, technology and innovation, and the positive feedback we received over the week speaks to the transformation that is happening in Australian meat processing."

Chris says AMPC's stand - and the work the organisation is doing - challenged perceptions of the processing plant as slow to change, heavy on inputs and limited in career opportunity.

"It was a real eye opener for many visitors, to see how processing plants are using technology for everything from reducing water usage to improving safety.

"Robotics, gamification and virtual reality are all part of the story in processing, along with countless other really exciting developments."

Some of the highlights for the AMPC team at Beef 2021 were a well-received seminar about the future of processing, a series of student tours to showcase the many existing and emerging career opportunities in processing, and the launch of AMPC's New Product Development Academy.

The red meat processing sector promises a range of exciting, interesting and challenging career opportunities. Matt Deegan from the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is pictured showcasing what the industry offers to a group of students at Beef 2021.
The red meat processing sector promises a range of exciting, interesting and challenging career opportunities. Matt Deegan from the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is pictured showcasing what the industry offers to a group of students at Beef 2021.

AMPC was also proud to be part of the launch of the new Kilcoy Global Foods innovation hub, as a major partner of the initiative which was launched during Beef 2021.

"All of this work comes on the back of a real commitment to consulting with industry and our members to deliver the kind of research initiatives that will drive the sector forward," Chris said.

"I am proud of what my team delivered at Beef and feedback from members and visitors to our stand has been overwhelmingly positive."

Unique R&D for unique needs

Chris says Beef 2021 was a positive experience, with industry recognising the critical role processing plays in the supply chain.

"Now we return our focus to our ongoing work in delivering specialised research and development outcomes for processing."

Chris says that servicing the processing sector might seem like a fairly narrow remit, but in fact the sector is surprisingly diverse.

"In beef, almost 50 per cent of the industry's processing throughput is derived from only 10 per cent of processor businesses. But it isn't just size that differentiates one processor from another.

"Beef, smallstock, and multi-species operations. Rural, regional, metropolitan. Access to water, no access to water. Domestic, export, toll processing - the differences are almost endless," he said.

AMPC's work is just beginning
AMPC's work is just beginning

Chris notes that while there are a lot of differences from one processor to the next, the processing sector on the whole is also very different from other parts of the supply chain.

"We're all part of the overall industry framework and we are fortunate to have strong relationships across the supply chain, but there are some areas where processing is very different from the rest of the industry and that really does necessitate a particular R&D focus.

"Processing in some ways has a lot in common with manufacturing industries, and so the kinds of R&D required and the sorts of innovation partnerships that can make a real difference in this sector are often quite distinct from those in other parts of the industry," he said.

Clear, collaborative goals

"Innovation is a risky business by default, and it takes an extraordinary amount of trust for any commercial business to invest their own time, energy and capital into an activity that might just not succeed," Chris says.

"AMPC takes a specialist, collaborative and tailored approach to conceiving and delivering R&D that meets those very niche requirements of the processing sector."

AMPC's work is just beginning
AMPC's work is just beginning

To help underpin a competitive, thriving and sustainable processing sector as part of our overall meat and livestock supply chain, AMPC's refreshed strategic plan has five key aspirations for 2030:

1. Human product handling is halved through technology advancement to reduce injury rates, maximise yield and processing efficiency.

2. Australian processors are recognised as global leaders in environmental stewardship and are acknowledged as responsible businesses with positive economic and social impacts on their communities.

3. The processing sector is seen as a diverse, safe, and attractive industry of choice for employment.

4. Australia is the preferred trading partner for premium red meat products globally, with unrivalled access to high value markets.

5. The Australian red meat industry maintains and further enhances its international reputation for safe, sustainably sourced, and wholesome red meat products.

"We're excited to continue to work closely with our members, and to continue to partner with the rest of the industry.

"There's lots to be done and we're excited to get on with it," Chris said.

This is branded content for AMPC.