Our History

A.J. Bush & Sons is an Australian family-owned business established in 1909 when their first butcher shop was opened in Newcastle.  To visit our corporate site, A J Bush & Sons, click here.

In 1953, A.J. Bush commenced A J Bush & Sons (Manufactures), manufacturers of tallow and protein meals.  A J Bush has been rendering/recycling animal by-products in the form of a protein recovery business that services the meat industry and other primary agriculture industries across Sydney metro, Canberra, and Newcastle and southeast Queensland.

Our plants are part of Australia’s largest service rendering business, processing both red meat and poultry by-products in NSW and Queensland.  2021 A J Bush & Son (Manufactures) launches Bush’s ProteinsTM recognising the contribution of A J Bush to the industry, to protein recovery, sustainability and the circular economy.

Our Plants

NSW

Currently, the NSW Plant has paused operations as of the 8th of December 2023.

After 70 years of operation in Riverstone, Bush’s Proteins Riverstone plant has paused rendering activities and also ceased collection of all materials for rendering from Friday 8th December 2023.  This decision has been difficult and is driven by the rapidly changing environment in our local community and the regulatory obligations in providing this service.  As a result, Bush’s Proteins Riverstone plant will not be able to pick up any materials from your business.

The pause of operations and cessation of collections is primarily focused on working with the EPA and addressing concerns they have raised.  The management team and family are committed to working with the regulatory authorities and local stakeholders for a longer-term solution.

The company, Bush’s Proteins, remain committed to the Rendering industry and will continue to investigate potential pathways for the NSW business.

Please note, this decision will have NO impact on our Queensland operations, which will continue to operate as per usual.

Please click here to read Notice to NSW Suppliers – Ceasing Collections

 

Our NSW plant at Riverstone established at Riverstone in 1956 is a SEDA Energy Smart Business Partner.

In September 2000, Rouse Hill Rendering facilities installed covered anaerobic ponds to capture biogas, a first in Australia, and converted all coal-fired boilers to natural and biogas co-firing resulting in a cleaner alternative saving over 20,000 tonnes per annum of CO2 equivalent.

ARA accredited in Hygienic Rendering #37.  Our listing can be located on the Australian Renderers Association site here.

NSW Environmental Monitoring Data | NSW Pollution Notification

 

QLD

Our first manufacture plant in QLD was built in 1972 in Murrarie and was then relocated in 1994 to Beaudesert where a new facility was built.

After a major fire in 2001, the plant was totally rebuilt.

Our Beaudesert plant is one of Australia’s major service rendering plants processing both red meat and poultry by-products. We operate under the National Safety Council of Australia 5 Star Safety System.

Winner of the 2013 Premier’s Sustainability Award

ARA accredited in Hygienic Rendering #29. Our listing can be located on the Australian Renderers Association site here.