Fonterra’s $200 million investment in a new milk processing plant is about to pay dividends as trials begin and staff familiarise themselves with operations at the Darfield site in Central Canterbury.
Fonterra Canterbury operations manager Richard Gray says everyone is excited to see their hard work come to fruition as the site transitions from a building phase into trialling and then into full operations.
“Over 1500 people have been involved in making in happen at Darfield and the site is a tribute to their hard work,” he says.
“Safety and quality are our top priorities and, with all the team on board, our focus is on testing the new plant’s processes with water.”
New members of the team have been familiarising themselves with the systems by visiting four of the Co-op’s 26 sites around the country, including Te Rapa and Whareroa in the North Island and Clandeboye and Edendale in the South Island.
“While it’s still very early days, it’s already clear that the new team has a real depth of skills and experience. And it’s been great to see most of this talent coming from the local area,” says Mr Gray.
Career opportunities at the new site have been a good option for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake, says Mike O’Dea, one of the new packing operators at the plant.
“Earthquake damage meant Canterbury Brewery had to be shut and I was made redundant. But when one door closes another opens and it’s great to have this opportunity,” says Mr O’Dea.
Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings says the site is part of Fonterra’s substantial investment in the wider Canterbury region.
“Our new site is due to take its first milk in mid-August and plans are already underway for stage two which will see another $300 million invested in the region,” says Mr Spierings.
“The investment in Darfield has created 60 new positions and is an important development for the region and the wider rebuild of Canterbury.
“Another 50 jobs will be created as part of stage two, which will see Canterbury become home to the world’s biggest and most efficient milk powder drier, capable of producing 30 metric tonnes per hour,” says Mr Spierings.
When both driers are fully operational the site will process up to 6.6 million litres of milk. The Darfield site will supply milk powder to markets such as the Middle East, South East Asia and China.
“This will further optimise Fonterra’s production and product mix for New Zealand milk, which is an important platform for our strategy,” says Mr Gray.
