Ravensdown Media Statement

17 November 2011


Ravensdown Fertiliser Now Looking To Grow In Queensland

In the space of two years Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia has achieved annual sales in excess of $26 million in Queensland and northern New South Wales, and has fully achieved its objective of establishing itself as a significant participant in the local cane growing sector. The value of shareholding has increased to $6.2m.

At their Annual General Meeting in Mackay this week (14 November), Chairman Rodney Green told shareholders that “Ravensdown with the support of CANEGROWERS and some 1300 of its members we have established a substantial, thriving operation,”

“Now that we are past the establishment phase, our objective is to significantly increase sales.”

To assist in the growth of the organisation Ravensdown is offering farmers more attractive membership joining rights.

New members will only need to contribute $100 as a one off payment irrespective of tonnage to become a member and grow their holding over time through the rebates they receive on fertiliser purchases.

In the financial year ending May 2011, those rebates were $11.93 cash and bonus shares valued at $14 for each tonne of fertiliser purchased.

In addition, the founding shareholders received a $16 a tonne ‘founding members’ rebate, designed to give a return on their initial membership fee of $140 through to the end of 2015.

Green said that shareholders had continued to support Ravensdown in the past financial year in spite of the wettest growing and ratooning season on record, and the tonnage of fertiliser sold had increased by 15 percent.

“Ravensdown is now well into its five-year plan to invest in store infrastructure in Queensland. We have increased the Townville store’s capacity to 30,000 tonnes, setup a new store in Mackay and have installed a blending plant in Brisbane.”

“Our capital expenditure program is running 18 months ahead of schedule.”

In addition to its Queensland and northern New South Wales business, Ravensdown has operations in Western Australia, southern Australia and New Zealand. In 2011 these four operations supplied more than 1.49 million tonnes of fertilisers to farmers.

For further information please contact Alan Thomson, General Manager Australia, telephone 0438 929 991