MEDIA RELEASE
September 22, 2014
Prime lamb from Wellard’s Beaufort River Meats (BRM) will be available throughout Perth and South West WA for the first time, after BRM began supplying Progressive Supa IGA’s nine stores this week.
Beaufort River Meats Business Development Manager Blair Brice said the Progressive Supa IGA supply arrangement was a major breakthrough for both the South West-based meat processor and WA consumers seeking quality home grown lamb. Previously Beaufort River Meats had exported its entire production.
“This is an exciting development for Beaufort River Meats to open the new domestic market for our South West lamb which we expect will be welcomed by WA consumers,” Mr Brice said.
“This supply arrangement is a clear sign of confidence from a major, local supermarket chain.
“Beaufort River Meats has an excellent reputation when it comes to processing lamb for export and now we are showcasing domestically the high-quality product we supply to overseas customers.”
Wellard is currently supplying a range of cuts including legs, square cut shoulders, shanks, necks and loins, as well as spring special sides of lamb.
“Progressive Supa IGA’s in-store master butchers will then prepare the cuts to meet their customers exacting standards,” Mr Brice said.
Progressive Supa IGA Operations Manager Frank Oliveri said consumers would be the big winners.
“Our managers pride themselves in knowing what their customers want and at this time of year it is high quality, fresh lamb in season from WA’s South West at a competitive price,” Mr Oliveri said.
“The Beaufort River Meats product will be clearly labelled so consumers can see exactly who is supplying their spring lamb.”
Wellard Livestock Manager Paul Mahony said Wellard buyers had added trade weight specifications to their buy orders in the past week to supply the Progressive Supa IGA meat cases.
“We have begun purchasing lines of lambs with a wider weight range, placing the slightly heavier lambs into the domestic market and the lighter end in the export market,” he said.
Mr Brice said the move into the cuts-based domestic market created better utilisation of the BRM boning room, which in turn had prompted Wellard to move into offering a greater cuts-based selection to its export market menu, in addition to its traditional six-way cut or whole carcase trade.
Mr Oliveri said BRM’s ability to source quality year round had influenced the decision to source BRM lamb from the South West.
“In summer we know we can get a consistent supply of grain finished lamb from Wellard’s feedlot, so we can in turn provide our customers with a consistent quality and quantity of supply.”
For further information please contact:
Cameron Morse
Phone: + 61 8 9485 8888
Mobile: +61 (0) 433 886 871