Anzco pattie makers beef up production
As Kiwis counted down the hours until takeaways are back on the menu, workers in a small north Taranaki town were gearing up to turn 125,000 kilograms of beef into burger patties.
Anzco Foods’ Waitara plant makes every one of the beef patties served in 171 McDonald’s restaurants around New Zealand.
Like the restaurants, the factory closed when the country went into the level-four lockdown last month.
But with the chain poised to reopen its drive-thru and McDelivery services from today, hundreds of workers at McDonald’s suppliers were returning to work.
For a town like Waitara, the reopening means more than just satisfying the cravings of burgerdeprived Kiwis.
About 90 per cent of staff at the Waitara plant are locals, including a team of 30 operators, as well as engineers, technical and management staff.
The return to pattie production would have a significant impact on staff members, their families and the rest of the town’s 7000 residents, Anzco site manager Jacques Jordaan said.
The site has been supplying McDonald’s since 2007 and while the local economy would be boosted by the reopening, the positive impacts would be more widespread.
Jordaan said: ‘‘It’s not just the town of Waitara who will see the benefits of being back in business, as over 6 million kilograms of beef, including angus, is used by McDonald’s each year.’’
Beef farmers, transporters and butchers, based mainly in the North Island, as well as packaging suppliers, logistics and supplychain staff would also play a part in the reopening.
McDonald’s managing director Dave Howse said 85 per cent of ingredients and produce used in its restaurants came from New Zealand suppliers.
‘‘The trickle-down effect of opening drive-thrus and McDelivery means a significant number of New Zealanders will be returning to work as we begin to restock our restaurants,’’ he said.
McDonald’s would continue to adhere to stringent health and safety plans at level three, he said.
Waitara Community Board chairman Jonathan Marshall said although the town was a good spot to spend the lockdown, people would be looking forward to getting back to work.
‘‘The Anzco plant is a big part of the community, as is any employer in a small town. It has continually employed people in Waitara and I understand there’s a bit of competition and a waiting list for jobs there,’’ he said.
‘‘They serve our culture and our community – we’re pretty laid back and relaxed out here and Anzco supports that.’’