Cash Flow Planning for Food Manufacturers

Introduction

For more than 35 years, Old Country Food has been a quiet constant in New Zealand’s food scene. Based in Auckland, the business produces frozen Asian foods including buns and dumplings, supplying both major supermarket chains and the food service sector.

Today, under the leadership of CEO Amy Sevao, the business continues to evolve while staying true to what matters most: honest ingredients, practical innovation, and steady, sustainable growth.

But in a market where conditions can shift quickly, clarity matters just as much as quality. That is where the relationship with Moore Markhams has made a real difference.

A business built on simplicity and quality

Old Country Food has always been shaped by the people behind it. Originally built by migrant families, the business has passed through different hands over the years, with each generation adding something new.

When Amy stepped into the business, she brought a different perspective altogether.

Originally trained as a medical doctor, she approached the business with the same mindset she developed in healthcare. Focus on what works for the customers. Keep things simple to maximise efficiency. Make decisions based on evidence, not assumption.

“We’ve really stripped things back,” she explains. “When you start with exceptional ingredients, less is more. You want people to taste each ingredient for what it is.”

That philosophy guides everything the business does. Products are made using local ingredients, without additives or preservatives. The goal is straightforward: clean taste, simple preparation, and food that fits easily into everyday life.

It’s a practical mindset. People don’t buy dumplings simply because they want dumplings. Their products solve a problem they have, how to make an easy, reliable meal that feels good to serve to your family after a long day.

Growing carefully in a volatile environment

While the product strategy is grounded in simplicity, the commercial environment is anything but.

“In the last few years, things have been quite hard for a lot of businesses,” Amy says. “There’s this assumption things will keep improving, but that’s not always the case.”

Like many business owners, Amy faces decisions about investment, pricing and growth in an environment shaped by global uncertainty. Costs can shift suddenly. Policy changes in larger economies can ripple into New Zealand. Demand patterns evolve.

That makes every decision more complex.

“You don’t want surprises,” she explains. “If you’re going to invest in something like new machinery, you want to know it actually makes sense. You need a reality check.”

That is where the relationship with Moore Markhams has delivered a measurable difference.

Making confident business decisions during economic uncertainty

Old Country Food was introduced to Moore Markhams through its bank after working with several accounting firms that did not feel like the right fit.

From the outset, the difference in approach stood out.

“Anson (Lam) is extremely thorough,” Amy says. “She understands the big picture, but she also looks at the detail and says, this is where you want to go, and this is where you are.”

That balance is critical. It allows Amy to test ideas, challenge assumptions and make decisions with confidence.

Rather than simply reporting on numbers, Anson provides context. She helps translate financial data into practical insight, giving Amy a clear view of the business’s position and the implications of each decision.

It is not always about saying yes.

“Sometimes it’s about having someone say, is that actually necessary? Or, maybe think about it this way,” Amy explains. “It helps you make healthier decisions.”

How financial clarity supports business growth

For Amy, the relationship goes beyond a traditional client and accountant dynamic.

“I see her as part of the team,” she says.

That partnership shows up in everyday conversations. Quick calls to check a decision. Emails to sense-check an idea. Access to broader expertise through the Moore Markhams network when specialist input is needed.

This accessibility removes a significant mental load.

“There are so many things on your to-do list,” Amy says. “To be able to quickly ask, is this okay, and get an answer, it means you can move on with your day without second guessing.”

It also builds trust over time. Amy knows the work is being done properly, with no hidden gaps or missed steps.

That reliability became clear when Anson identified and resolved an issue left behind by a previous firm. It was relatively minor, but it reinforced the value of having someone who checks thoroughly and takes ownership.

“The last thing you want is to find out something wasn’t done properly,” Amy says. “You just don’t want that risk sitting there.”

Confidence in decision-making

With that support in place, Amy feels a stronger sense of clarity about the health of the business.

“It’s about understanding where we’re at and knowing the numbers are right,” she explains. “You’ve got confidence there won’t be any surprises.”

That confidence feeds directly into better decision-making.

Whether it is assessing pricing strategies, managing supplier relationships, or deciding how quickly to expand, Amy can make choices with a clear view of both risk and opportunity.

That has been particularly important in recent years, where volatility has become the norm.

“Things feel like they’re constantly changing,” she says. “To have someone who gives objective, unbiased advice and backs it up with data is incredibly valuable.”

Staying grounded while moving forward

Old Country Food continues to innovate, responding to how customers actually live.

One example is the development of its air fryer dumpling range, designed to be quick, reliable and easy to prepare. It reflects the same practical thinking that underpins the rest of the business.

At the same time, growth plans remain deliberately measured.

“If you’re doing okay in this economy, you’re already doing well,” Amy says. “The goal is steady growth and stability.”

That means strengthening existing channels, building relationships with customers, and expanding carefully into new markets such as Australia, with a clear understanding of differences in taste and environment.

It also means making considered decisions about pricing and supply, especially in situations where costs fluctuate.

“You see how businesses respond in difficult times,” Amy explains. “That’s what people remember. We want to be consistent and reliable.”

The value of steady, trusted support

For Amy, the most important outcome of working with Moore Markhams is not a single result or milestone. It is the ongoing confidence that comes from having the right support in place.

In an environment where many factors are outside your control, that support provides a critical anchor.

“It’s trustworthy, professional guidance during a time of volatility.”

Amy Sevao

For growing businesses, that kind of partnership can make all the difference. Not just in navigating uncertainty, but in building something stable, sustainable and ready for whatever comes next.