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Paul Silk has been appointed interim chief executive of the company that will procure two new ferries for the Government. Silk was most recently acting chief executive at Christchurch City Holdings, the wholly owned investment arm of Christchurch City Council. Ferry Holdings chair Chris Mackenzie said Silk’s experience managing public-owned infrastructure, as well as capital and risk management in financial markets, made him the “ideal candidate” to lead the company during its establishment phase. The appointment is effective from May 26. Silk will be responsible for overseeing the commercial negotiations to procure the two ferries, as well as port infrastructure agreements with CentrePort in Wellington and Port Marlborough. The agreements are due to be completed by the end of this year, by which time the company hopes to have a permanent chief executive.
NZX-listed WasteCo says it has landed a nine-year, $40 million contract with the Ashburton District Council to deliver waste management services to more than 12,000 households. The contract, which includes kerbside rubbish and recycling for both the council and 21 mid-Canterbury schools, has the option of a nine-year extension. The company placed itself in a trading halt this morning ahead of the announcement and resumed trading after 4pm. The contract, which will 23 full-time employees, will start on September 1. Wasteco shares remained at 2 cents per share in late afternoon trading.
Savor Group revenue fell 8% to $56.6 million from $62m, for the year ending in March. The Auckland hospitality group reported $7.3m in operating earnings, down from an ebitda of $8.8m, and a net loss after tax of $1.2m, down from an after-tax net profit of $700,000 in the year prior. The net loss was largely attributed to a one-time ing write-off from its discontinued Seafarers venue. Operating cash flow rose to $7.1m for the year, up from $6.4m last year. Savor chief executive Lucien Law said, "With the market stabilising and our new bar and entertainment venue in Britomart under construction, we’re looking forward to growth again.” The trading environment remained uncertain with persistent economic pressures, the company said. However, it hoped gradual relief in cost-of-living pressures would benefit the business. "Our strengthened balance sheet, with improved cash reserves and declining leverage, provides flexibility to navigate challenges or pursue growth."
The Financial Markets Authority has issued a warning about a managed investment scheme operated by Jesse Joseph Vaughan and former NZ company Crypto Partners Limited (L). FMA response and enforcement executive director Louise Unger said, “We understand that Mr Vaughan, the sole director and shareholder of formerly ed company L, has offered investments in a managed investment scheme (MIS) operated by L. He did so without holding an MIS manager licence, and without providing the required disclosure, which are both contraventions of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.” Vaughan also told his investors in a newsletter that he had applied for an MIS manager’s licence, and that it was being reviewed by the FMA. Unger confirmed neither Vaughan nor L had ever applied to the FMA for any form of market services licence. The FMA is concerned "investors are likely to have experienced significant detriment" due to Vaughan's conduct, and urged those affected to them.
Auckland retailer Smith & Caughey's will shut entirely, causing 98 job losses. Smith & Caughey’s acting chief executive, Matt Harray, said, "Every attempt has been made to achieve this and every feasible option investigated; no stone left unturned. However, it’s sadly clear it is no longer viable for us to keep the doors open." The department store with roots back to 1880 downsized its Queen St operations earlier this year, and closed its Newmarket store in September 2024. Harray said it was hoped the changes would result in an improved financial position for the company. "Unfortunately this has not been the case." All operations will close by the end of July, with the online store closed from the end of May.
NZX-listed Blis Technologies, a maker of probiotic dietary supplements, has reported net profit up 30% to $838,000 for the year to March. Revenue rose 9% to $13.2 million. In a statement to the NZX, the company said it was optimistic about the coming year. “While macroeconomic conditions remain mixed, demand for science-backed probiotics continues to grow,” it said. The company said a European customer had filed patent applications in September 2024 that it believed contained confidential Blis information and it was in talks to resolve the dispute. The annual report also noted supplies of fermented probiotic ingredients from Fonterra were becoming restricted and increasing in price, so Blis was seeking another supplier.
Zespri revenue has sured $5 billion in the 2024/2025 season. Global operating revenue for the kiwifruit marketer tallied $5.14b, up 22% from $4.21b during the previous corresponding season. Net profit after tax fell 10.4% to $155.2 million from $173.3m. Zespri sold a record 220.9 million trays of kiwifruit in 2024/25, up from 164.2 million trays in 2023/24. Zespri chief executive Jason Te Brake said, “2024/25 was a really positive year for the industry and we’re excited to build on this momentum as we progress further into our 2025/26 season."