Taylor Corporation

Company

Overview

History

Mission Statement

Accreditation

History

Taylor Corporation boldly states its mission is to be the most innovative enterprise in the New Zealand apple industry, history clearly shows that this has been the case in the past. Generation after generation the Taylors have led the way and strived for the top. Kelvin Taylor, the current managing director, follows his father Wally and grandfather Walter into the industry.

Walter began farming in early 1900’s in Longlands, Hastings, growing and packing peaches and pears, then later cherries. In his quest to improve his cherry crop he travelled to Australia to study their growing methods. On his return an interesting article appeared in the local newspaper, interesting on two counts firstly he learnt that where the Australians could grow a cherry twice as good as the NZ cherry their marketing skills let them down as they were receiving less than half in monetary returns. The other interesting point made was the writers enthusiasm for modern day travel – Friday afternoon Mr. Taylor was walking down Pitt Street, Sydney Australia and then amazingly by Monday he was in Queen Street Auckland NZ!

Wally entered the industry in 1923, working for his father, with the opening of J Wattie Canneries in 1934, Wally saw an opportunity, bought the farm next door and began growing Golden Queen peaches. Wally consistently grew both large fruit and record tonnage per acre; he became the top supplier to Wattie canneries year after year.

In 1962, tiring of fighting the frost each spring, he bought 6 hectares in Pakowhai and switched to growing and packing apples for export. He perfected the growing of apples equally as well as he did the peaches. Wally took a calculated risk on a new tree training method and planted his entire orchard single leader, the gamble paid off and again he achieved record tonnage. Kelvin mirrored Wally’s entry into the industry; first working for him then in 1968 buying the land next door to develop his own orchard and packing facility. Over the years he has built the business from the original 10 hectares to the current 180 hectares.

	The packing facility has also dramatically increased to become a very modern and efficient complex that gives customers complete confidence in Taylor product. In 1995 the packing side of the business was separated from the growing, founding the new company Taylor Corporation (1995) Limited. With deregulation of the NZ
export apple industry in 2001, Taylors released their own brand onto the export market. The challenge is on for the next generation, Claire, her husband Andrew, Cameron and Natalie to grow the brand and take the business to new heights.

	© Copyright Taylor Corporation 1995 Limited