Takeover yet to show full benefits

The biggest merger of agricultural companies since the formation of Fonterra is still not complete.

Last year, PPCS completed a seven-year takeover battle for rival meat company Richmond - emerging as an industry giant. The combined entity has more than 9000 staff at the peak of the season.

Chief operating officer Keith Cooper said there was still work to be done before the full benefits of the amalgamation started flowing through to the bottom line.

Legally, the two companies became a single entity on January 31 and all the key personnel are in place.

But the merger of the computer systems - that handle accounting, production, stock management and compliance - was time-consuming.

"Immediately after Easter, we start merging the software systems. Then from the first of September - the new financial year - we will be on one software system," Cooper said.

"The cost savings have been progressive but they will really kick in then and they will be transparent from that time."

The company was now completing an alignment of brands and, while some would be phased out, the PPCS, Richmond and Lowe-Walker Beef brands would continue.

Richmond had seen a high staff turnover once the takeover battle was completed but staff who had stayed on were taking a positive approach.