Latest news with #ScalesCorporation


Scoop
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Property Fund Targets $1bn, Acquires High-Tech Agri Asset
The first asset in the Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is set to be a $24 million smart logistics facility operated by Mr Apple, one of the countrys largest vertically integrated apple exporters and a subsidiary of NZX-listed Scales Corporation. A new wholesale property investment fund aiming to build a $1 billion portfolio of commercial assets by 2030 is acquiring a flagship coolstore in Hawke's Bay that is transforming the way New Zealand apples are prepared for export. The first asset in the Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is set to be a $24 million smart logistics facility operated by Mr Apple, one of the country's largest vertically integrated apple exporters and a subsidiary of NZX-listed Scales Corporation. The 7,000m² coolstore will serve as the Fund's cornerstone investment, under a 20-year triple net lease. Alan Henderson, director at Erskine Owen, says the facility is a strong example of the export-aligned infrastructure the Fund will focus on. 'We chose this site as the fund's foundation because it ticks all the boxes. It is a core industrial logistics facility, under a long-term lease to a globally competitive exporter, located in a region that is vital to New Zealand's agri-economy. 'We're focused on assets that help drive New Zealand's global competitiveness and that perform well in both stable and volatile markets. These are the kinds of buildings that don't go out of fashion, that provide reliable income and that help sectors like horticulture and agribusiness perform at the highest level,' he says The PIE Fund aims to diversify across infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, office and retail sectors, with a goal of reaching $1 billion in holdings within five years. Henderson says the capital raise for the Groome Place coolstore is already underway. 'This is a Fund with a long-term growth and diversification strategy, which is intended to spread investment risk across sectors and locations. We are aiming to have $200 million in assets within 12 to 18 months and increase that to a billion dollars within four years after that. 'The asset quality here speaks for itself. There's clear investor appetite for export-aligned infrastructure backed by strong tenant covenants,' he says. The Groome Place site itself is a leap forward for post-harvest logistics. It incorporates advanced design, automation and environmental controls to optimise throughput and quality, allowing Mr Apple to process around 3,000 bins of apples daily. Michael Caccioppoli, head of coolstores, logistics and engineering at Mr Apple, says the new system has cut the time between orchard and packhouse by 25 percent. 'This turnaround speed directly supports export quality, and by shortening the time from picking to cooling, we're able to preserve internal fruit integrity. 'That means apples are fresher when they hit the ships. It improves shelf life, reduces quality complaints and lifts the eating experience for millions of consumers around the world, which is critical as we establish markets for new varieties,' he says. In 2024, 72 percent of Mr Apple's exports were premium varieties like Dazzle, Posy and NZ Queen. The company aims to grow that figure to 75–80 percent by 2027. The new facility supports that ambition with optimised workflows, precision-controlled storage and lower environmental impact, using 15 to 20 percent less CO2 than older sites to slow fruit respiration and delay ripening. Despite its scale, the coolstore is operated by just eight staff thanks to automation and system integration, enabling tight control over environmental variables. The layout has been designed to reduce handling and labour costs while accelerating the flow of fruit through to export. Caccioppoli says the benefits go beyond product quality. 'The system helps protect margin and reduce risk in a volatile global freight market,' he says. Henderson says investors are increasingly seeking assets with reliable returns, and with features that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and export relevance. 'It reinforces our view that there is real demand for high-quality, income-generating assets in this sector. 'The coolstore reflects the kind of high-performance infrastructure we're targeting – efficient, export-driven and future-ready,' he says. The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is now open to wholesale investors, offering access to income-producing infrastructure assets.1 Notes: 1 Important: The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is open only to wholesale investors under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The Fund is not suitable for retail investors, and there is no product disclosure statement. This above is not an offer or invitation to invest in the Fund. It does not consider any investor's personal circumstances and is general in nature. No guarantees are made as to the performance of the Fund or any repayment of capital or income. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investors should obtain independent advice before investing.


Scoop
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Property Fund Targets $1bn, Acquires High-Tech Agri Asset
A new wholesale property investment fund aiming to build a $1 billion portfolio of commercial assets by 2030 is acquiring a flagship coolstore in Hawke's Bay that is transforming the way New Zealand apples are prepared for export. The first asset in the Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is set to be a $24 million smart logistics facility operated by Mr Apple, one of the country's largest vertically integrated apple exporters and a subsidiary of NZX-listed Scales Corporation. The 7,000m² coolstore will serve as the Fund's cornerstone investment, under a 20-year triple net lease. Alan Henderson, director at Erskine Owen, says the facility is a strong example of the export-aligned infrastructure the Fund will focus on. 'We chose this site as the fund's foundation because it ticks all the boxes. It is a core industrial logistics facility, under a long-term lease to a globally competitive exporter, located in a region that is vital to New Zealand's agri-economy. 'We're focused on assets that help drive New Zealand's global competitiveness and that perform well in both stable and volatile markets. These are the kinds of buildings that don't go out of fashion, that provide reliable income and that help sectors like horticulture and agribusiness perform at the highest level,' he says The PIE Fund aims to diversify across infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, office and retail sectors, with a goal of reaching $1 billion in holdings within five years. Henderson says the capital raise for the Groome Place coolstore is already underway. 'This is a Fund with a long-term growth and diversification strategy, which is intended to spread investment risk across sectors and locations. We are aiming to have $200 million in assets within 12 to 18 months and increase that to a billion dollars within four years after that. 'The asset quality here speaks for itself. There's clear investor appetite for export-aligned infrastructure backed by strong tenant covenants,' he says. The Groome Place site itself is a leap forward for post-harvest logistics. It incorporates advanced design, automation and environmental controls to optimise throughput and quality, allowing Mr Apple to process around 3,000 bins of apples daily. Michael Caccioppoli, head of coolstores, logistics and engineering at Mr Apple, says the new system has cut the time between orchard and packhouse by 25 percent. 'This turnaround speed directly supports export quality, and by shortening the time from picking to cooling, we're able to preserve internal fruit integrity. 'That means apples are fresher when they hit the ships. It improves shelf life, reduces quality complaints and lifts the eating experience for millions of consumers around the world, which is critical as we establish markets for new varieties,' he says. In 2024, 72 percent of Mr Apple's exports were premium varieties like Dazzle, Posy and NZ Queen. The company aims to grow that figure to 75–80 percent by 2027. The new facility supports that ambition with optimised workflows, precision-controlled storage and lower environmental impact, using 15 to 20 percent less CO2 than older sites to slow fruit respiration and delay ripening. Despite its scale, the coolstore is operated by just eight staff thanks to automation and system integration, enabling tight control over environmental variables. The layout has been designed to reduce handling and labour costs while accelerating the flow of fruit through to export. Caccioppoli says the benefits go beyond product quality. 'The system helps protect margin and reduce risk in a volatile global freight market,' he says. Henderson says investors are increasingly seeking assets with reliable returns, and with features that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and export relevance. 'It reinforces our view that there is real demand for high-quality, income-generating assets in this sector. 'The coolstore reflects the kind of high-performance infrastructure we're targeting - efficient, export-driven and future-ready,' he says. The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is now open to wholesale investors, offering access to income-producing infrastructure assets.1 Notes: 1 Important: The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is open only to wholesale investors under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The Fund is not suitable for retail investors, and there is no product disclosure statement. This above is not an offer or invitation to invest in the Fund. It does not consider any investor's personal circumstances and is general in nature. No guarantees are made as to the performance of the Fund or any repayment of capital or income. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Investors should obtain independent advice before investing.


Techday NZ
15-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
New property fund targets NZD $1 billion export-focused assets by 2030
A newly established wholesale property investment fund is launching with the acquisition of a coolstore facility in Hawke's Bay valued at NZD $24 million, with ambitions to build a NZD $1 billion portfolio by 2030. The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund's inaugural purchase is a 7,000 square metre smart coolstore leased long-term to Mr Apple, the subsidiary of Scales Corporation, which is among the largest vertically integrated apple exporters in New Zealand. The asset marks the fund's entry, under a 20-year triple net lease agreement. Portfolio growth The fund has revealed a strategy to reach NZD $1 billion in holdings within a five-year time frame, by diversifying across sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, office and retail, targeting income-generating assets with strong links to export activities and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. "We chose this site as the fund's foundation because it ticks all the boxes. It is a core industrial logistics facility, under a long-term lease to a globally competitive exporter, located in a region that is vital to New Zealand's agri-economy. "We're focused on assets that help drive New Zealand's global competitiveness and that perform well in both stable and volatile markets. These are the kinds of buildings that don't go out of fashion, that provide reliable income and that help sectors like horticulture and agribusiness perform at the highest level," said Alan Henderson, Director at Erskine Owen. A capital raise to support the investment in the Groome Place coolstore is now underway. Henderson stated, "This is a Fund with a long-term growth and diversification strategy, which is intended to spread investment risk across sectors and locations. We are aiming to have $200 million in assets within 12 to 18 months and increase that to a billion dollars within four years after that. "The asset quality here speaks for itself. There's clear investor appetite for export-aligned infrastructure backed by strong tenant covenants," he added. Technology and efficiency The Hawke's Bay coolstore features advanced design and automation, including systems that reduce the time between orchard and packhouse by 25 percent. According to Mr Apple's Head of Coolstores, Logistics and Engineering, Michael Caccioppoli, these upgrades are significant for product quality and competitiveness in export markets. "This turnaround speed directly supports export quality, and by shortening the time from picking to cooling, we're able to preserve internal fruit integrity. "That means apples are fresher when they hit the ships. It improves shelf life, reduces quality complaints and lifts the eating experience for millions of consumers around the world, which is critical as we establish markets for new varieties," he said. In 2024, 72 percent of Mr Apple's exports comprised premium varieties such as Dazzle, Posy and NZ Queen, with a stated aim to expand that to 75–80 percent by 2027. The smart coolstore supports this goal by introducing optimised workflows, precision-controlled storage, and a 15 to 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with older facilities. The facility is operated by just eight staff, as automation and integrated systems allow for tight control of environmental variables, reduced handling, and lowered labour costs. Mr Apple processes approximately 3,000 bins of apples daily, using technology to accelerate throughput while protecting product quality. Caccioppoli highlighted the broader advantages of the advanced facility, stating, "The system helps protect margin and reduce risk in a volatile global freight market," he observed. Investor demand Henderson commented on current sentiment in the investment community, with more investors seeking reliable income and ESG-aligned assets with export relevance. "It reinforces our view that there is real demand for high-quality, income-generating assets in this sector. "The coolstore reflects the kind of high-performance infrastructure we're targeting - efficient, export-driven and future-ready," he said. The Erskine Owen Veritas Property Fund is now open to wholesale investors interested in income-producing infrastructure assets.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Those who invested in Scales (NZSE:SCL) a year ago are up 38%
If you want to compound wealth in the stock market, you can do so by buying an index fund. But investors can boost returns by picking market-beating companies to own shares in. For example, the Scales Corporation Limited (NZSE:SCL) share price is up 33% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market return of around 6.4% (not including dividends). So that should have shareholders smiling. On the other hand, longer term shareholders have had a tougher run, with the stock falling 8.8% in three years. Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns. We check all companies for important risks. See what we found for Scales in our free report. To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the last year Scales saw its earnings per share (EPS) increase strongly. While that particular rate of growth is unlikely to be sustained for long, it is still remarkable. So we'd expect to see the share price higher. Strong growth like this can be evidence of a fundamental inflection point in the business, making it a good time to investigate the stock more closely. You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Scales' earnings, revenue and cash flow. It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Scales the TSR over the last 1 year was 38%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. We're pleased to report that Scales shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 38% over one year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 2%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. If you want to research this stock further, the data on insider buying is an obvious place to start. You can click here to see who has been buying shares - and the price they paid. Scales is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of small cap companies at attractive valuations which insiders have been buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on New Zealander exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data