Meat processor placed into administration

High livestock prices and stiff competition have taken their toll on Australind-based Goodchild Abattoirs, which was placed into administration this week.

The abattoir, which employed about 60 people, ceased trading last weekend.

The family-owned business will instead focus on its traditional meat wholesale business, Goodchild Meats, at Hamilton Hill.

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ administrator Simon Theobald said options for the sale of the meat-processing business and assets to new buyers were being considered.

According to the company’s website, the Halal-certified abattoir had a processing capacity of 1000 lambs/sheep and 150 cattle a day on one shift.

Mr Theobald said WA’s small, family-owned abattoirs were struggling in the face of high stock prices, low availability and stiff competition from major processors, which had taken its toll on Goodchild.

The first creditor meeting for Goodchild Abattoirs will be held on August 30.