New owners take control at Harvey Beef

New owners have today taken control of the state's largest beef processor, Harvey Beef.
The ABC reported the Harvey Industries Group had taken ownership from administrator Ferrier Hodgson following a vote by workers on the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement on Friday.
The takeover had been stalled for three weeks to allow workers time to vote on the new EBA.

Harvey Beef chief executive Scott Henderson told ABC News the abattoir was facing an expected six-month shortage of cattle and the new owners have several challenges ahead.

"There does need to be changes and clearly the company wasn't suitable in the way it was operating prior to administration," he said.

"A lot of changes have been made in the ensuing six months. We will go further and we'll be looking to work with all the people - suppliers, customers, to make sure that we return Harvey Beef to its rightful place, which is as a leader in the beef industry."

Harvey Beef are seeking forward contracts due to reduced production in the short term from low cattle numbers.

The beef processor had been owned by the Green family for almost a century before going into administration on Friday August 19.