Strategic agribusiness review and operational turnaround
KordaMentha was engaged by a leading Australian funds manager to conduct a diagnostic review of a large horticulture operation under management.
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AgricultureKordaMentha was engaged by a leading Australian funds manager to conduct a diagnostic review of a large horticulture operation under management.
The business had been underperforming since its acquisition in late 2017.
The client sought to understand the root causes of this underperformance and identify strategies to restore profitability and long-term value.
Key focus areas included:
- Identifying the primary drivers behind poor EBITDA performance over the past three years
- Reviewing head office and business support costs
- Assessing whether best-practice farming methods were in place
- Evaluating the growth potential of the business
- Considering the future prospects of the banana trading operation
How we helped
Objectives
The engagement aimed to:
- Simplify and improve the operating model to support on-farm and head office operations
- Strengthen the organisational structure and align resources with business needs
- Improve financial visibility and cost control
Identify opportunities to increase yield and improve sales strategy - Build confidence in data integrity and information systems
Our approach
Working closely with Compass Agribusiness Australia, we:
- Designed a simplified operating model to support efficiency and scalability
- Built a fit-for-purpose organisational structure from the ground up
- Highlighted key on-farm initiatives to deliver meaningful yield improvements
- Undertook salary benchmarking for key employees
- Identified risks in information systems and sales processes
- Managed brand perception by bringing in specialist agribusiness expertise
- Fostered collaborative relationships across all levels of the business
- Co-piloted the project to ensure timely delivery while driving business improvements
- Brought together diverse skillsets to address issues from both operational and strategic perspectives
Outcomes acheived
Our work delivered a clear path forward, restoring confidence in the business and providing a foundation for growth:
- Improved operating model and streamlined organisational structure
- Identified opportunities for yield improvement and efficiency gains
- Strengthened financial oversight and reporting systems
- Built alignment and trust between stakeholders at farm level and head office
- Created a robust plan for sustainable growth and long-term commercial success
