Progressive Meats
Progressive Meats is a privately held New Zealand red meat processor and exporter, founded in 1981, operating three plants (Hastings, Feilding, Gisborne) and processing lamb, beef, venison and by-products for global export markets through brand-partner channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersHastings, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Progressive Meats does
Progressive Meats Limited is a privately held New Zealand meat processor and exporter founded in 1981 by Craig and Penny Hickson and headquartered in Hastings. The company operates three processing facilities — Hastings (rebuilt 1999), Feilding (opened 1995), and Gisborne (built 1997) — and runs an annual production plan across lamb, beef, venison, rams, mutton and goats with a workforce of more than 300 employees. Its go-to-market is a sales-led, supplier-procurement model: the company runs a market-led procurement programme that pays farmers based on actual saleable meat yield (calculated against a value index and expressed as a percentage of the weekly schedule), supported by competitive scheduling, prompt kill and carcass-level feedback.
The company's core processing technology centres on Marel boning systems — installed for lamb in 2004 and extended to beef in 2016 — which weigh every cut, calculate saleable meat yield against a value index, and pass yield information back to farmer suppliers. Scotts Saw robotic cutting technology was introduced in 2017 to automate cutting operations. The technology stack also includes certified Halal slaughter services for both day and night shifts, in-house cold storage and warehousing through Kelcold Ltd, and processing of animal by-products for medical and biotech end-uses.
Progressive Meats monetises through transaction-fee processing of farmer-supplied livestock and sale of processed red meat and by-products into global export markets via channel partnerships with meat brand partners including Atkins Ranch, BX Foods, DavMet, Progressive Leathers, and Classic Sheepskins. The business is family-owned, with no disclosed institutional investment or external funding, and the founder/Managing Director Craig Hickson sits on the boards of multiple related industry entities (Te Kuiti Meat Processors, Ovation NZ, Lean Meats, Venison Packers Feilding, Beef + Lamb NZ, Wools of New Zealand, Ovita NZ), providing industry-wide visibility and channel reach.
Progressive Meats firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Progressive Meats
- Legal name
- Progressive Meats Limited
- Website
- https://progressivemeats.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Progressive Meats is a privately held New Zealand red meat processor and exporter, founded in 1981, operating three plants (Hastings, Feilding, Gisborne) and processing lamb, beef, venison and by-products for global export markets through brand-partner channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Progressive Meats industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Meat Processing
- NAICS
- Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116), Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering (311611), Meat Processed from Carcasses (311612)
- SIC
- Meat Packing Plants (2011), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Further Processing (Cooked, Smoked, Cured & Deli Meats) (AFAKALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Game & Specialty Meats Wholesale (Venison, Bison, etc.) (AFAIADAG)
Keywords
Where Progressive Meats is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hastings
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Progressive Meats business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Meat Processing and Export: Processing the finest New Zealand red meat (lamb, beef, venison, rams, mutton, goats) for export. They process farmer-supplied livestock and provide saleable meat yield calculations. Revenue is generated through processing fees and the sale of processed meat products to brand partners and export markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Weekly | Market-led pricing schedule for livestock |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Progressive Meats product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Progressive Meats processes and exports high-quality New Zealand red meat (lamb, beef, venison, rams, mutton, and goats) supplied by farmer suppliers to global markets via meat brand partners. The company operates three processing facilities in Hastings, Feilding, and Gisborne using Marel boning systems and Scotts Saw robotic cutting technology to maximize carcass yields and provide saleable meat yield data to suppliers.
Product overview
Progressive Meats is a New Zealand meat processing and export company founded in 1981, operating as a single-site facility in Hastings with additional plants in Feilding and Gisborne. The company processes lamb, beef, venison, rams, mutton, and goats for export, offering both standard meat products and Halal-certified slaughter services. Their processing operations incorporate advanced technology including Marel boning systems for lamb and beef that calculate saleable meat yields, and Scotts Saw robotic cutting technology. The company provides animal by-products for medical and biotech industries, operates cold storage and warehousing through Kelcold Ltd, and runs a market-led procurement programme that connects farmer suppliers with competitive scheduling and payment based on actual yields. The portfolio is complemented by partnerships with meat brand exporters including Atkins Ranch.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lamb Processing and Export Processing and export of high-quality New Zealand lamb, including vacuum-packed lamb chops and various cuts, using the Marel boning system that weighs each cut and calculates saleable meat yield against a value index. For farmer suppliers and international meat brand partners.
- Beef Processing and Export Processing and export of New Zealand beef products, including slaughter, boning, and trimming operations using the Marel boning system introduced in 2016. For farmer suppliers and international meat brand partners.
- Venison Processing and Export Venison slaughter and processing facility commissioned in 1982; processes and exports venison to global markets for international brand partners.
- Rams, Mutton, and Goat Processing Year-round processing services for rams, mutton, and goats in addition to lamb and beef, supported by an annual production plan providing 12 months of continuous employment.
- Animal By-Products Provision of animal by-products for medical, biotech, and other industries, complementing the human consumption meat products. Distributed via Progressive Leathers and related channels.
- Cold Stores and Warehousing Cold storage and warehousing services operated through Kelcold Ltd as part of the single-site operations in Hastings, including the company's own cool store facilities.
- Market-Led Procurement Programme A supply programme that encourages farmers to make informed decisions via market-led procurement. Offers competitive scheduling, prompt kill, and valuable feedback. Suppliers can be paid for actual saleable meat yield calculated as a percentage of the weekly schedule.
- Halal Slaughter Services Qualified Halal slaughter services with certified Halal slaughtermen for both dayshift and nightshift operations, meeting religious requirements for Muslim export markets.
Quantifiable outcome
- Detailed saleable meat yield calculation per carcass
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Progressive Meats
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Progressive Meats technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Progressive Meats partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RMPP (Red Meat Profit Partnership)coreRed Meat Profit Partnership is a strategic partner programme supporting the red meat industry. Progressive Meats works with RMPP to enhance farmer profitability and industry outcomes.
- Atkins RanchcoreAtkins Ranch is a meat brand partner that distributes Progressive Meats products to the world. They deliver high-quality New Zealand lamb internationally.
- Classic SheepskinsminorSheepskin products brand partner
- DavMetminorMeat products brand partner
- BX FoodsminorFood products brand partner
- Progressive LeatherscoreLeather products brand partner from animal by-products. Progressive Meats is a director of Progressive Leathers Ltd.
- TK Meats (Te Kuiti Meat Processors)minorTe Kuiti Meat Processors is a related meat processing company. Craig Hickson is a Director of TK Meats.
- Hawke's Bay Magpies Rugby TeamminorProgressive Meats has been the principle sponsor of the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team for 11 years. Also a First XV sponsor. Part of The Magpies Club initiative allowing the rural community to own the team.
- Beef + Lamb NZcoreCraig Hickson is a Director of Beef + Lamb NZ, the industry organisation for New Zealand beef and sheep farmers.
- Ovation NZ LtdminorMeat processing company. Craig Hickson is a Director of Ovation NZ Ltd.
- Lean Meats LtdminorMeat processing company. Craig Hickson is a Director of Lean Meats Ltd.
- Pasture PetfoodsminorPet food company. Craig Hickson is a Director of Pasture Petfoods.
- Venison Packers FeildingminorVenison processing facility. Craig Hickson is a Director of Venison Packers Feilding.
- Wools of New ZealandminorWool industry organisation. Craig Hickson is a Director of Wools of New Zealand.
- Ovita NZminorSheep industry organisation. Craig Hickson is a Director of Ovita NZ.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Progressive Meats competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ANZCO Foods: NZ-owned meat processor and marketer of lamb, beef and veal to global markets. Closely comparable species mix, export-led distribution, and multi-plant processing footprint.
- Alliance Group: New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative processing lamb, beef, venison and co-products for export. Directly comparable to Progressive Meats in species mix, multi-site NZ slaughter and processing footprint, and farmer-supply programme.
- Taylor Preston: Wellington-region NZ lamb processor specialising in premium export lamb. Comparable as a smaller, technology-forward NZ red meat exporter with global brand partners.
- Greenlea Premier Meats: Hamilton-based NZ beef processor and exporter with a focus on premium global markets. Comparable in beef processing, export orientation, and brand-partner distribution.
- Silver Fern Farms: NZ's largest red meat processor and exporter, operating multiple plants for lamb, beef and venison. Comparable to Progressive Meats in species diversification, premium export positioning, and global brand partner distribution model.
- Blue Sky Meats: NZ meat processor exporting lamb and co-products to global markets. Comparable species mix and export-led, multi-plant processing operations.
- Ovation NZ: NZ meat processor and exporter of lamb, beef and venison. Comparable as a privately held NZ red meat processor with both domestic and global distribution; Craig Hickson is a director of Ovation NZ.
- AFFCO New Zealand: NZ meat processor and exporter of lamb, beef, venison and co-products. Comparable multi-site slaughter and processing operations and export channel to global markets.
- Te Kuiti Meat Processors (TK Meats): NZ lamb processor and exporter focused on natural and organic lamb. Comparable in species focus, export channel, and Craig Hickson's directorship, making it a closely related industry peer.
Regional players
- Teys Australia: Australian beef and lamb processor and exporter with multi-site operations and global distribution. Comparable in species mix, processing technology, and export-led model, but headquartered in Australia rather than competing directly in NZ.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Progressive Meats social profiles
Digital presenceProgressive Meats financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Progressive Meats leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Progressive Meats funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Progressive Meats M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Progressive Meats
What does Progressive Meats do?
Progressive Meats processes and exports high-quality New Zealand red meat (lamb, beef, venison, rams, mutton, and goats) supplied by farmer suppliers to global markets via meat brand partners. The company operates three processing facilities in Hastings, Feilding, and Gisborne using Marel boning systems and Scotts Saw robotic cutting technology to maximize carcass yields and provide saleable meat yield data to suppliers.
Is Progressive Meats a public or private company?
Progressive Meats is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Progressive Meats founded?
Progressive Meats was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Progressive Meats based?
Progressive Meats is headquartered in Hastings, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Progressive Meats make money?
One revenue line is on record: meat Processing and Export.
Who are Progressive Meats's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ANZCO Foods, Alliance Group, Taylor Preston, Greenlea Premier Meats, Silver Fern Farms, Blue Sky Meats, Ovation NZ, AFFCO New Zealand and Te Kuiti Meat Processors (TK Meats). Teys Australia is listed as a regional player.
Does Progressive Meats have an API?
No public API is recorded for Progressive Meats.
What industry is Progressive Meats in?
Progressive Meats's product category is Meat Processing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKALAD, Further Processing (Cooked, Smoked, Cured & Deli Meats), with a secondary code of AFAIADAG, Game & Specialty Meats Wholesale (Venison, Bison, etc.). Its NAICS code is 3116 and its SIC code is 2011.