Alliance Group sells former plant site in South Canterbury

Alliance Group has confirmed the sale of its former Smithfield meat processing plant site in Timaru, South Canterbury.

The 32-hectare site has been purchased for development with the agreement unconditional. Both the purchase price and the purchaser are confidential.

Alliance chief executive Willie Wiese said there had been significant interest in the site.

“Smithfield has been a well-known part of the Timaru landscape for nearly 140 years. While this marks the end of an era, we’re pleased to have concluded the sale and to enable new investment in the site.”

Alliance announced the closure of the Smithfield plant in October 2024 following a consultation period with staff. The plant processed sheepmeat, calves and venison.

The Smithfield plant had been part of Alliance’s operations since 1989.

Alliance Group continues to operate six processing plants across the country:

• Lorneville, near Invercargill (sheepmeat, venison and beef)
• Mataura, Southland (beef)
• Pukeuri, near Oamaru (sheepmeat and beef)
• Nelson, (sheepmeat)
• Levin, (sheepmeat and beef)
• Dannevirke, (sheepmeat)

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Sam Halstead
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