Green light for formula exports to China ‘a game changer’
Sheep milk processor Spring Sheep says achieving accreditation to export infant formula to the US$17 billion Chinese market is a game changer.
“Our focus… is scaling the business – taking our products globally, expanding our markets but also growing the business in a sustainable way,” he told Dairy News.
The company initially launched its products in Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. New Zealand and China have recently been added to the list.
Building sales, both online and in retail stores, in China is a priority.
“We are building our presence in the Cross Border E-Commerce channel (CBEC), which takes English-label product and sells it via online platforms to Chinese customers.
“This year we are also launching into the general trade channel (bricks and mortar retail stores), with our new Chinese-label range,” Hammond says.
He says that innovation is vital to the Spring Sheep brand.
“The team is innovating across all elements of the supply channel, from milk production right through to distribution.
“We are continuously looking for ways to innovate on the farms, in production and in the product space, and as we scale up you will continue to see innovation coming from the company.”
Hammond says there is great potential for the future of sheep milk in New Zealand.
“We believe sheep milk is a sunrise industry in New Zealand with huge potential. New Zealanders are some of the best in the world in milk quality, dairy processing, pastoral dairy farming and sheep animal husbandry – sheep milking brings all of these together.”
Hammond takes over as chief executive from Scottie Chapman, who held the role for six years. He remains the executive director.
Spring Sheep chair Michael Ahie says Hammond has the skills to take the company to new heights.
“A natural entrepreneur who originally trained in accounting, finance and law, Nick is an innovator whose dedication, passion and strong business acumen have propelled Spring Sheep Milk Co. from a start-up to a high growth business. He has the full backing as the natural CEO successor from the board, the team and co-founder Scottie Chapman.”
Chapman says it has been an incredible journey with Spring Sheep over the past six years.
“Nick is the right person to scale Spring Sheep into the globally dominant sheep dairy bran it deserves to become and I will be eagerly supporting from the sidelines as Spring Sheep continues to tick off milestones next under Nick’s leadership.”
