Many of Fonterra’s 27 sites are being ‘scrubbed up’ over 10 weeks, as milk flows have dropped off, allowing maintenance.
Brent Taylor, director of New Zealand operations, says the co-op each year sees to its sites being “match-fit to process at least 17 billion litres of milk.”
“Typically we produce about 2.4 million metric tonnes of product a season, running our driers at times at full capacity…. We have to maintain our equipment to the highest standards.
“Winter maintenance gets us off to a good start for the next season… to meet the demand from customers and deliver our products on time.”
Trevor Bell, maintenance coordinator at Te Rapa, says this work sets the tone for the following season, “setting up the plant for the season ahead so it can run at maximum efficiency without unforeseen downtime which can cost us in lost production. [And it] allows us to extend the life of our equipment.”
The work is costing $70 million, mostly at the high capacity sites Whareroa (Taranaki), Edendale (Southland), Clandeboye (Southland) and Te Rapa (Waikato).
About 170 companies, big and small, will work together, employing 620 contract staff.
The work will range from major capital works to minor valve and floor repairs.
All staff or contractors get safety training, Fonterra says.
