What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Fonterra's Whareroa site took home the prestigious Directors Award at the co-op's 'Oscars of Manufacturing', while Clandeboye led the way with multiple wins at this year's Best Site Cup.
Around 200 representatives from Fonterra's 24 New Zealand manufacturing sites gathered recently to celebrate the incredible achievements across the network over the past season.
This year, 20 awards were presented, recognising excellence across a wide range of categories - from quality and health and safety through to sustainability and innovation - showcasing the depth of capability across the co-op's manufacturing network.
Fonterra chief operating officer Anna Palairet says it's wonderful to celebrate the incredible work the team does every day.
"What stands out is our people. The work they do from collecting milk from our farmer shareholders all the way through to getting amazing high-quality products to our customers. They've done some incredible mahi."
The Best Site Cup, now in its 20th year, is a long-running highlight for the co-op.
It shines a spotlight on the more than 7,000 manufacturing employees across the country, recognising the critical role they play in delivering value for farmer shareholders, customers and communities.
"It's brilliant to be here to acknowledge all the people who are here to celebrate with us, and also all our people at sites working on a daily basis to make that happen," says Palairet.
Fonterra's director of New Zealand Manufacturing, Chris Kane, says it's a proud moment to reflect on what teams have achieved over a busy season.
"With strong milk collections across the country, it's been a demanding season for everyone at our sites. These awards are about more than results - they reflect the daily commitment to safety, quality, teamwork and continuous improvement that keeps our co-op strong."
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