About us

Horizon Holdings is a family owned company, operating an export accredited facility located in Townsville, Far North Queensland, Australia within close proximity of the Beef Capital of Australia providing access to export quality beef stock.

cowboys beef jerky Beef Jerky .. a favourite with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Originally founded in 1992 by a group of cattle graziers and businessman, as a research and development company to formulate value added beef products, Horizon Holdings started producing the traditional style jerky Ironbark, and as a result of the R&D program the softer style beef Jerky Outback Tucker was produced.

The softer style jerky was an instant success and Horizon Holdings exported its first shipment to Japan in 1997.

The company has gone from strength to strength since, honing the drying process whilst perfecting the marinades to produce a consistently high quality and flavoursome product.

beef jerky

As an export accredited facility our processing plant and processes are audited by AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) ensuring our compliance with the latest in food, health and overseas authorities regulations.

Our product carries the ‘AI’ (Australia Inspected) Stamp which certifies our product has been produced to the highest possible standard, using quality export meats, in facilities that are maintained in the utmost of hygienic and sanitary conditions.

The McGimpsey family purchased Horizon Holdings in 2002.  Craig McGimpsey had been making his own beef jerky since starting in a butcher shop over 20 years ago, supplying family, friends and regular customers. 

kids love beef jerky

Demand and constant nagging from the kids had Craig looking to buy a commercial oven, and when he inspected the ovens at Horizon Holdings premises he was so impressed he bought the company!

Craig, along with his wife Roxann, are constantly exploring new techniques and jerky styles to keep up with changing trends and tastes whilst always maintaining one line of traditional true blue jerky.

Currently they are working on creating premium game meat jerky including crocodile, emu and kangaroo to the Horizon Holdings repertoire of fine dried jerky!

The History of Our Beef Jerky

A group of six men were going on a climbing exhibition to the Himalaya. The peak pictured in the background, just climbed by Mike Groom, John Taske and Darren Manson, is Mera Peak, 22,000 feet.

At altitude, appetite declines, probably due to lowered oxygen levels. All climbers to high altitude have trouble eating enough food to provide the tremendous energy needs for climbing.

In this climbing group all, to a man, thoroughly enjoyed their beef jerky right up to the summit. It proved to be very compact, high protein energy source, which tempted even the most jaded palate.

The photo below was taken at base camp, at 17,500 feet
- Mera Peak, Himalayas.

beef jerky in Himalayas

In the photo left to right standing.

Mike Groom, Mike Wood, Dave Moignard, Darren Manson,
Trevor Bennett Kneeling & John Taske.

So the story starts with a local Butcher with a passion for creating what he thought to be the perfect Beef Jerky.

After working and travelling North Queensland, Craig collected a range of recipes to combine. Taking this knowledge of recipes with him to Townsville, Craig pursued his quest to fulfil his dream to produce his own beef jerky.

He purchased a butchery in Townsville but later outgrew this to take over the Horizon Holdings Production Factory and make the flavours his own.