Gallagher Group is accelerating its commercial expansion across Australian and international markets with its acquisition of Norton Livestock Handling Solutions in Australia.
Norton LHS was founded in 1989 by brothers Tom and Peter Russ. The company is widely acknowledged for offering Australian-made high-quality sheep & cattle handling equipment, farm gates, and sheep & cattle yards under its family-values brand.
New Zealand-based Global General Manager for Gallagher Animal Management Lisbeth Jacobs says while times are tough right now for businesses and farmer customers, Gallagher is doubling down on its investments into quality products and solutions and premium customer service.
“Through the pandemic and current global events, we have proven that we can continue to supply our farmer customers. With control of the product design and manufacturing processes in New Zealand and Australia, Gallagher was less impacted by Covid-19 lock downs than those businesses that rely on imported components and offshore manufacturing. As a result, we have been able to capture additional market-share.”
Lisbeth says consumers are increasingly looking for responsibly sourced, high-quality protein products and farmers are tackling growing compliance and traceability regulations. Weighing, monitoring individual animal performance and recording data enables farmers to respond to these growing demands, maximise productivity and run more efficient and sustainable farming operations.
“Norton’s Australasian operation and capability is just what we’ve been looking for to continue to support our customers as demand for animal handling solutions continues to grow.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Norton team into the Gallagher family and are excited about what we can achieve together through our combined passion for quality and customer experience.
“Building long term relationships with customers and resellers has always been part of our DNA and in these turbulent times this is proving more important than ever for our customers. People know they can rely on us to walk beside them in tough times as well as the good.”
As another long-standing family business serving the agricultural community, the acquisition of Norton’s manufacturing experience is the perfect complement to Gallagher, and a boost to the growth plans for both brands.
Norton currently holds a strong market position in the South Eastern Australia region. But with Tom and Peter looking to pursue other interests, and as the business continues to scale, Gallagher’s expertise in manufacturing and distribution and international reach will optimise results.
For more than two decades, Gallagher has collaborated closely with Norton. Tom and Peter say that there were just too many synergies between the two companies for this not to be a perfect fit.
“We have a 20-year working relationship with Gallagher, so we knew from the get-go that things were going to work out well when we began discussions.
“Norton has been a part of our family for so long, it just wasn’t an option to hand it over to an unknown. Being family-run just as we have always been, Gallagher will be able to enhance the business values that have been really important to us.
“The exposure for Norton under the Gallagher management is a great opportunity. The Gallagher brand is already well known in Australia and its existing position in the market and established sales channels will help the growth of Norton sales advance quickly.
“In a few years, we’ll be proud to drive past the Norton factory and know that the Norton name, and team, are in good hands.”
Malcom Linn, General Manager for Gallagher Animal Management in Australia says his team is delighted to add Norton’s range of products to its line-up of solutions.
“For over 80 years, Gallagher has led the way in the agricultural industry. This acquisition further cements our commitment to investing in farming products and equipment that make farm life easier and support customers to operate smarter and more profitably.”
The acquisition was finalised on 30 November 2022 at which time the Norton team of around 45 people were welcomed as part of the Global Gallagher family, under Lisbeth’s overall leadership.
