Latest news with #RobHewett
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
'I'm going to miss it like hell,' says retiring Silver Fern Farms director
Outgoing Silver Fern Farms director Rob Hewett at home on his Manuka Gorge farm. PHOTO: SUPPLIED He described yesterday simply as Dog Tucker Day. After 17 years as a director of Silver Fern Farms, and more than 11 of those as chairman, Rob Hewett officially stepped down at 1pm from his governance roles with the company, which he estimated equated to 38% of his total life. "I'm so proud of this company. I'm going to miss it like hell," he said. Reminiscing on his tenure, following the conclusion of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's annual meeting in Dunedin yesterday, Mr Hewett said he joined the board as a "very green" 38-year-old director. Since then, revenue had trebled, a rebrand had been completed and a market-led strategy rolled out "and become simply the way things are done". He recalled a meeting in December 2014 which he attended as the newly minted chairman, facing "relatively hostile" bank representatives in a meeting room in Auckland to tell them why Silver Fern Farms was worth persevering with. As the subsequent rebuild began, with the intention of attracting investors, any mis-step was likely to lead to "shut up the shop". Customers had to be kept happy with sales moving through and the company had to keep within very tight banking covenant conditions. "There's nothing like a crisis to align the directors of the board, who never wavered from the trajectory we were on," he said. Shanghai Maling - now Bright Meat Group - joined the co-operative in a partnership and Silver Fern Farms "finally had air under its wings and our ascendance was remarkable", he said. Over the years, hundreds of millions had been invested in capital projects, offshore offices had been established to complement the existing network and branded product was available in all New Zealand supermarkets and offshore. "Silver Fern Farms is a globally recognised high-quality red meat brand," he said. As for the future? There was "plenty on". Geopolitically, it had not been this tumultuous for a long time, possibly since pre-World War 2. Silver Fern Farms' position as a company, and New Zealand's as a country, in the world needed to be carefully navigated and New Zealand exporters needed to face issues together. Overcapacity in the red meat sector was well documented and, unfortunately, there was "more heavy lifting to do". Silver Fern Farms would have to do its share as would everyone else. He was continually mindful of the challenges facing livestock farmers, and he was very proud to be a sheep and beef farmer from South Otago - "that's what keeps it real" - and profitability behind the farm gate was critical. Describing himself as an optimist, Mr Hewett said he saw possibilities rather than reasons for not doing things. Land use change would continue but the simple fact was people needed to eat.
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘So proud' of firm, retiring director says
Outgoing Silver Fern Farms director Rob Hewett at home on his Manuka Gorge farm. PHOTO: SUPPLIED He described yesterday simply as Dog Tucker Day. After 17 years as a director of Silver Fern Farms, and more than 11 of those as chairman, Rob Hewett officially stepped down at 1pm from his governance roles with the company, which he estimated equated to 38% of his total life. "I'm so proud of this company. I'm going to miss it like hell," he said. Reminiscing on his tenure, following the conclusion of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's annual meeting in Dunedin yesterday, Mr Hewett said he joined the board as a "very green" 38-year-old director. Since then, revenue had trebled, a rebrand had been completed and a market-led strategy rolled out "and become simply the way things are done". He recalled a meeting in December 2014 which he attended as the newly minted chairman, facing "relatively hostile" bank representatives in a meeting room in Auckland to tell them them why Silver Fern Farms was worth persevering with. As the subsequent rebuild began, with the intention of attracting investors, any mis-step was likely to lead to "shut up the shop". Customers had to be kept happy with sales moving through and the company had to keep within very tight banking covenant conditions. "There's nothing like a crisis to align the directors of the board, who never wavered from the trajectory we were on," he said. Shanghai Maling - now Bright Meat Group - joined the co-operative in a partnership and Silver Fern Farms "finally had air under its wings and our ascendance was remarkable", he said. Over the years, hundreds of millions had been invested in capital projects, offshore offices had been established to complement the existing network and branded product was available in all New Zealand supermarkets and offshore. "Silver Fern Farms is a globally recognised high-quality red meat brand," he said. As for the future? There was "plenty on". Geopolitically, it had not been this tumultuous for a long time, possibly since pre-World War 2. Silver Fern Farms' position as a company, and New Zealand's as a country, in the world needed to be carefully navigated and New Zealand exporters needed to face issues together. Overcapacity in the red meat sector was well documented and, unfortunately, there was "more heavy lifting to do". Silver Fern Farms would have to do its share as would everyone else. He was continually mindful of the challenges facing livestock farmers, and he was very proud to be a sheep and beef farmer from South Otago - "that's what keeps it real" - and profitability behind the farm gate was critical. Describing himself as an optimist, Mr Hewett said he saw possibilities rather than reasons for not doing things. Land use change would continue but the simple fact was people needed to eat.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Carpet maker Bremworth reverses wool only policy
Photo: Bremworth Carpet maker Bremworth has reversed its wool only policy and will soon start making synthetic carpets again. The NZX-listed company, which stopped producing synthetic carpets in 2020 in favour of a wool-only policy , will restart production of synthetic carpets at its Auckland facility in the next financial year. It comes following a recent shake-up of the Bremworth board, with group of unhappy shareholders, led by new chair Rob Hewett, prompting the departure of three sitting directors . Its chief Executive Greg Smith has also stepped down after four years. Hewett earlier said the coup was prompted by the company's slumping profits , with revenue falling from $148.1m in 2018 to $80.3m in 2024. The dissenting group said the decision to stop selling synthetic carpets in favour of wool-only products had not resulted in improved sales, while operating costs remained high. Hewett, who replaced former chair George Adams, said there was strong demand from major New Zealand and Australian carpet retailers for Bremworth to produce both synthetics and wool. He said by not having synthetics in their portfolio they had made things more difficult. "The challenge that we have with the business is about 85 percent of the carpet floor covering market is not wool and we're missing out on it. We need to spread our costs across a wider base. Our customers are clearly looking for a synthetic product." He said they were also very mindful of stakeholders. "I am a farmer of wool and I do this with a heavy heart but the company's viability quite frankly is at stake here." It also follows Bremworth settling with rival carpet maker Godfrey Hirst, settling court proceedings in relation to a past marketing campaign Bremworth initiated in 2020 when it ceased producing synthetic carpet and moved to manufacturing wool carpets only. Godfrey Hirst alleged that aspects of that campaign mischaracterised the relative environmental and health impacts of synthetic and wool carpets and breached the Fair Trading Act. Bremworth denied breaching the Act, but acknowledged certain parts of its past advertising from the 2020 marketing campaign may have misled some consumers. These had been removed and would not be used again. The new synthetic range, which will initially comprise a small, but carefully curated, number of products, will be distributed under a separate brand to distinguish these products from its Bremworth-branded all-wool products. No new capital expenditure is required and the company anticipates a minor increase in headcount to support the additional volume. Hewett expected having a complete portfolio will actually help them grow wool product sales. However, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams said the wool industry was teetering and this would further knock farmer confidence. "It's a tough pill to swallow for the industry." He said it was disappointing but understandable. Williams acknowledged Bremworth was a business though and shareholders had a right to expect returns. He said it was important for people to start recognising the environmental benefits of wool, especially with declining sheep numbers and farmland being converted to carbon forestry . Andy Caughey, chief executive of industry group Wool Impact, said Bremworth manufacturing synthetic carpets again didn't minimise their commitment to wool or their wool carpet offering. "This range extension, which includes synthetics, will strengthen the company's operating model by optimising its manufacturing capacity and generating more revenue as it continues to invest and expand its wool business," he said. "The world needs more wool." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
National Business Review
09-05-2025
- Business
- National Business Review
Bremworth's sheep farmer chair defends shift to synthetic carpets
Rob Hewett, the new chair of NZX-listed carpet market Bremworth, has defended the company reintroducing synthetic carpets despite spending the past five years marketing the benefits of all-wool natural fibres. In a statement to the NZX this morning, the company said the move was in response to
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Holiday near home: you may discover a pigroot paradise
This column last week swore off international travel, citing the terrors of dealing with the United States border officials who Make America Grate Again. A swag of readers' stories followed, each more horrendous than the last. The column had advised that staying home was the best option but, even so, we all need a bit of a break from time to time. Air New Zealand, busy fussing about cabin crew uniforms no-one has the slightest interest in, have seen fit to charge fares to Otago travellers which make it cheaper to make a couple of trips to Sydney than a single one to Auckland. Happily, no-one really wants to go to Auckland so something closer to home will save you money, immigration hassles and the nuisance of sleeping overnight on the floor of the airport when things turn to custard. From Maniototo there are no doubt pleasant breaks to be had around Otago and Southland, carefully avoiding Queenstown, and seeking something a bit different from the tourist-infested holiday spots of the rich and famous, but little did I imagine I'd discover Paradise on the Pigroot. Officially SH85 from Ranfurly to Palmerston, the road is one I travel many times and it's a pleasant drive, especially when it becomes a familiar old friend and you've learned to spot the signs of its gold rush days as a major road to the riches of Central Otago. The road to Macraes joins the Pigroot and it was this turn-off I was advised to take. "Not far along you'll find a gate. Go through the gate and follow the track. That's where you'll find what you need," was the advice. Already it was high enough to give views of the Razorback Range across Shag Valley and even a glimpse of the sea beyond Puketapu at Palmerston. Just ahead of me was what might be a musterer's hut. No wonder musterers love their time on the hills. Cosseted by superb scenery on every side and no other human beings doing their "only man is vile" routine. A drive of a few minutes and I was there. But this was no musterers' hut. It was luxury accommodation standing alone 400m above sea level. Alone, that is, apart from a dozen sheep in the adjoining paddock and they seemed a pretty likeable bunch. What I had discovered, less than an hour from home, was a tourism venture which gives a taste of the high country with all the comforts of home. In fact, with more comforts than home. A welcoming complimentary block of New Zealand-made chocolate and an outdoor hot tub ready for a plunge just never happens at my home. I learned that there's more than 200 of these high-country hideaways around the country, including some in Maniototo, a mere 10-minute drive from home. The paradise on the Macraes road is on the farm of Rob Hewett and Helena Robinson. Rob's family have farmed there for generations and Helena is a doctor plying her skills in Palmerston and Oamaru as well as looking after two youngsters with a third on the way. About five years ago the couple looked at diversifying and built this luxury accommodation in what some would call the middle of nowhere. In fact, it is really somewhere. Free of traffic, smog, city noise and other people, it must make tourists from, say, Singapore, wonder if they really want to go back home at all. Solar power, filtered water from a nearby farm dam and Rob's endless supply of firewood for the wood burner and the hot tub means all the bases are covered. Of course, you bring your own food, and guests are reminded that the nearest shops are in Palmerston, 20 minutes away. The booklet in the hut suggests trips to Moeraki, Oamaru, Waikouaiti and the nearby Stanley's Hotel at Macraes but I suspect once you're in your hilltop eerie you stay put. Does it work for Rob and Helene? Well, there's no time in the year when it's not busy. An even more luxurious bolt hole has been built just down the road and a third may be in the offing. Wallowing naked in a hot tub at 400m under a night sky peppered with stars and other attractions could well be your answer to travelling without tears. No agonising over air bookings or ferry cancellations. Just grab a pleasant companion, a pile of books (no television set besmirches this haven) and you'll be there before you've had time to realise you've left home. — Jim Sullivan is a Patearoa writer.
