UNITED States meat processing giant Cargill has this week completed its takeover of the Teys Australia beef processing and exporting business – almost 15 years after the two companies formed a historic 50-50 joint venture.

Former managing director and board chair Brad Teys departed the business on Friday, with new chief executive officer Andrew MacPherson in the chair from Monday this week.

The business name, Teys Australia, will remain, with no reference to Cargill.

Teys, the second largest beef processor in the nation, currently employing 5000 staff across its two primary operating companies:

• Teys Australia 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.

Brad Teys is currently taking a holiday break, but will join Beef Central in coming weeks for a retrospective interview marking the Teys family’s magnificent three-quarter century contribution to the Australian beef industry.

This week’s full transition, with Cargill now holding 100pc ownership of the Teys Australia business, follows the approval of all regulatory requirements, including clearance from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board and relevant authorities in export markets.

The transition of ownership to Cargill ensures long-term stability for Teys’ people, partners, and producers, while continuing to honour the company’s 79-year legacy of integrity, quality and trust, Cargill said in a statement issued this morning.

Andrew MacPherson

Based in Brisbane, new CEO Andrew MacPherson (appointment announced last month) 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, the statement said.

Mr MacPherson worked with Cargill Australia for 18 years prior to the 2011 merger with Teys, 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, selling its 50pc stake to partner Cargill.

About Cargill

One of the world’s largest food companies, Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 155,000 worldwide employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come.