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Established in 1974 by the Barton family, Gundagai Meat Processors (GMP) is one of Australia’s most innovative, progressive and trusted lamb processors.

We’re located on one of Australia’s busiest freight routes just off the Hume Highway, mid-way between Sydney and Melbourne, in the prime lamb growing country of Gundagai NSW. Our business has evolved over its 50 years in operation. From processing circa 5,000 lambs per annum when we started, today we process one million lambs per annum thanks to our recently upgraded state-of-the-art processing facility, which boasts one of the most advanced lamb carcase chillers in the world.

Agility, together with our focus on building trusted long-term partnerships with clients domestically and internationally and our ongoing investment in our employees, underpins our success.

Proud to be part of the Gundagai community, we generate ongoing stimulus to the local economy, estimated to be in excess of $150 million per year.

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Our Leadership Team

Will Barton

CEO

Philip Jack

CFO

Peter McDonald

Plant Manager

Company History

Our family, the Bartons, has been associated with Gundagai’s meat industry for 100 years, spanning three generations.

In 1919, Fred W. Barton began a butcher’s apprenticeship in South Gundagai before ultimately owning and operating “Barton’s Butchery” in the main street of Gundagai. His sons, Tony and Bill Barton, built on the knowledge passed on to them from their father and in September 1974 constructed a small abattoir on the outskirts of South Gundagai on a farm originally owned by Fred Barton’s grandfather William Barton (1853-1928).

In 2016, Bill’s son Will Barton led GMP through an exciting period of change. At a time when many processing facilities were scaling back or shutting down, GMP announced a $30 million expansion project, creating 76 new full-time jobs, increasing annual production capacity by 70% and securing Tier 2 Export Status, which has provided access to new markets including the US.

Read about the Barton Group

Snapshot of our history

GMP History

Early 1950s

Barton’s Butchery
in its first year

Pictured at the original site of Barton’s Butchery

GMP History

Late 1950s

Barton’s
Butchery team

Allan Rolles, Jimmy Slater, Patricia Barton, Fred Barton

1974

Brothers Tony and Bill
Barton establish GMP

A small processing facility is established on the outskirts of South Gundagai

GMP History

1980s

Barton’s Refrigerated
Transport

Loading meat for distribution to Canberra and Sydney

1990s

GMP constructs
boning room

GMP expands offering to accommodate the industry’s shift to shelf ready product

2016

GMP secures funds for $30M expansion

CEO Will Barton announces expansion project set to create 76 new full-time jobs and lead to a 40% increase in annual production capacity

2018

GMP attains Tier 2
export status

GMP’s upgrades see it become one of the most technically advanced facilities in the world with the potential to export to more than 70 countries

2020

Gundagai Lamb is launched

Gundagai Lamb’s mission is to provide farmers with priceless information that allows them to nurture and breed a healthier, more resilient, better tasting lamb.

2023

GMP partners with Grill’d burger chain

GMP lands a spot on the menus of Australian burger chain, Grill’d, with Gundagai Lamb’s GLQ5+ product.

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