Fiordland Lobster has been tantalising tastebuds around the globe for decades.
Sought-after by the world's wealthy, Fiordland Lobster Company chief executive
Mike Schuck likens the delicacy to caviar and champagne.
From connoisseurs to the seafood-loving public, lobster's popularity has never
waned. Last year the Te Anau-based company exported 400 tonnes of live lobster,
with 96 percent sent to mainland China.
"We've doubled our exports in the past four years and we're hoping to see that
trend continue," Mike says.
The brainchild of a dozen local fishermen, Fiordland Lobster was established in
1989 with the aim of developing new processing facilities to enable the export
of live lobster.
Until then, the crustaceans were tailed at sea before being frozen and shipped
to the United States.
"Live exports revolutionised the industry … it was the first major change since
World War 2."
The formation of the company also coincided with the introduction of the
government's Quota Management System.
"That enabled people to have an investment in the fishery and something they
could sell when they retired – a quota," Mike says.
"Fishermen are extremely astute business people with a long-term commitment to
their business and the industry."
After several years allowing the lobster population to rebuild, quotas have
increased in the past three years.
"What the fishermen could catch in 12 months, they can now pretty much catch in
12 weeks," Mike says.
"They can plan their catches to coincide with when prices are at their highest."
Internationally, lobster earns $US30 to $US45 a kg depending on the time of
year.
In 2003, Fiordland Lobster expanded into the North Island by adding Mt Maunganui
Seafood to its portfolio. Last year, it opened a new operation in Dunedin at the
request of Otago fishermen keen to secure better prices.
Fiordland's remote location hasn't been a hurdle to competing in the
international arena, thanks to modern technology and Focus Technology Group.
The arrival of broadband in Te Anau meant businesses were no longer limited to
local service providers. Fiordland Lobster seized the opportunity to overhaul
its network and enlisted Focus for the task.
"Focus can maintain everything remotely from Invercargill and, even though we
are in Te Anau, any problems are fixed quickly," Mike says.
"And it's great for one Southland company to support another Southland company."
New modern hardware was equipped with the latest software programmes, and Focus
trained staff to ensure optimum proficiency.
"We've made an investment in hardware and software but it's more then paid for
itself with the drastic reduction in downtime and the efficiency of staff."
Systems were developed strategically with the future in mind.
"We've allowed plenty of room for expansion and the network is designed to grow
with us," Mike says.
"And with Focus we can access new technology quickly and with the confidence
it's already been tested by the experts. They only recommend things that work
and are stable."
Experienced support was vital to running a successful operation.
"If you've got a one-man-band looking after your business and they go away on
holiday, if something goes wrong you pretty much have to shut everything down or
fix it yourself," Mike says.
"The beauty of Focus is that support is always available." |
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