fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 24 April 2013 12:58

PM at Waitoa UHT blessing

Written by 

Construction of Fonterra's new $126 million UHT milk processing plant in Waitoa has taken another step forward with the site's blessing attended by Prime Minister John Key.

Fonterra's chief executive Theo Spierings says the plant, which will be running from April 2014, will enable Fonterra to increase UHT production by 100% over the next few years.

"The five new UHT lines will produce a range of products including UHT white milk and UHT cream for the foodservice sector, which is a part of our business that generates more than $1 billion in sales a year and this plant will allow us to meet the growing demand in Asia for these products," says Spierings.

"This is a big project for us and will help create an additional 50 jobs.
"The plant will also enable us to concentrate our domestic UHT production – including Fonterra Milk for Schools at our Takanini manufacturing site in Auckland."

During the Prime Minister's visit he was also taken on a tour of the wider Fonterra site to meet employees, led by Fonterra chairman John Wilson and Spierings.

Wilson says the blessing, performed by local iwi Ngati Haua, is a milestone in the plant's construction and the presence of the Prime Minister highlights the significance of the investment. "The new UHT plant is core to our growth strategy which will deliver greater returns to our New Zealand farmers."

More like this

Fonterra's in good shape

Fonterra released its interim results last month, showing a continuation of the strong earnings performance delivered by the co-op through the 2023 financial year. Here’s what Fonterra chair Peter McBride and chief executive Miles Hurrell said about the results…

China trade

OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…