IN the lead-up to the formal take-over of the Teys beef processing business in coming months, Cargill has appointed experienced Australian processing executive Andrew MacPherson to the role as Teys next chief executive officer.

Mr MacPherson has worked in the beef industry for more than 30 years in commercial and strategy leadership positions. He was an original (pre-Teys merger) employee of Cargill Australia in red meat processing for 18 years, operating out of the company’s Wagga processing operations and Jindalee feedlot. He rose through the ranks to become Cargill Australia’s chief operating officer and managing director.

After Cargill’s merger with Teys in 2011, he worked for the next 12 years with Teys Australia. He was appointed Teys’ chief executive officer in 2021, after Brad Teys stepped back from the role to focus on the executive chairman’s role, before leaving the company in 2023. Since then he has worked in consultancy and holds directorships with the Sunpork group, agtech company DIT and the Mighty Good Food Group.

In June, it was announced that the Teys family would exit the joint venture business after 80 years, selling its 50pc stake to partner Cargill. There has been mounting speculation about who would take over the top job at Teys since the announcement was made.

Beef Central accurately predicted Mr MacPherson’s return in this article published back in June, when he was our first choice among a list of possible candidates for the job.

Cargill’s takeover of the Teys family share in the business was approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board during August, and the new entity has already been granted a China access license (change of ownership requires a new approval from Chinese authorities).

All that remains is a license for export to Vietnam, expected in coming weeks.

No formal change of business date has yet been announced, however late November is the anticipated timing. The Teys Australia name will remain as the company entity in Australia, with no reference to Cargill.

Since 2011 Teys Australia has operated as a 50-50 joint venture involving the Teys family and US processing giant, Cargill.

Andrew MacPherson is widely regarded as a strategic thinker and a solid people and operations manager. He will be based in Brisbane, where he will be responsible for driving Teys operations as a leading provider of healthy, high-quality Australian beef products and a buyer of Australian livestock destined for local and international customers, Cargill said in a statement.

Until the ownership change, Brad Teys will continue to serve as CEO, completing the successful 14-year venture partnership between Cargill and the Teys family.

“Andrew will bring extensive expertise in the global food and agribusiness sector, underpinned by a distinguished track record in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and innovation within the Australian beef industry,” Cargill’s statement said.

During his term as Teys’ chief executive officer from 2021 to 2023, he successfully guided the company through a significant phase of transformation, driving diversification initiatives and positioning the business for long-term, sustainable growth.

“I would like to thank Brad for his leadership and vision as Executive Chairman of Teys for the past 14 years,” said Jon Nash, Executive Vice President and Leader of Cargill’s Food Enterprise.

“Under his leadership, Cargill worked alongside the Teys family to build Teys as a globally recognised brand and a leading processor and exporter of premium Australian beef.

“Together, we laid the foundation for Teys’ continued growth and success. With Andrew taking over the reins, I am confident in Teys’ future as a world-class beef processing business for our customers and for our people.”

“It has been an honour to lead Teys and work alongside our dedicated people and partners,” outgoing executive chairman Brad Teys said in the statement.

“We are proud of what we’ve built together and I’m confident that under Cargill’s stewardship, Teys will continue to thrive and uphold the values that have defined us.”

Teys currently employs 5000 staff across its two primary operating companies:

• Teys Australia, the second largest beef processor in the nation, operates beef processing plants at Beenleigh, Biloela and Lakes Creek (Rockhampton) in Queensland; Naracoorte in South Australia; and Tamworth and Wagga, NSW. Three company feedlots are located at Condamine Qld; Jindalee NSW; and Charlton Victoria. Value-adding and manufacturing facilities are located at Brisbane Qld and Wagga NSW.
• The Teys USA sales and distribution business in the US.