Synlait’s Longest-Serving Employee Joins Executive Team

David Williams has been appointed general manager of milk supply and sustainability, in charge of the team of 28 people which runs Synlait’s two commercial dairy farms, supports its nearly 200 farmer suppliers and leads its sustainability workstreams.

Williams jointed Synlait in March 2008 when the Dunsandel company was primarily a dairy farm owner and its first processing plant was still under construction.

At that time, he explains, the company had nine dairy farms, was in the process of converting another six for the following season, and the company’s Dunsandel plant was still being kitted out with the first drier due to come online in August 2008. In the 2008-09 season it began processing milk from 60 farms, its own 15 plus another 45 contracted suppliers.

“My role back then was everything to do with milk supply. I was it,” he told Dairy News.

“Everything to do with all the relationships with farmers and contracting the milk, and all of the aspects relating to milk quality and RMP [Risk Management Programme] and sustainability, and all of the milk collection.

“So, I started in March 2008, and there was quite a lot to do before August.”

Williams’ elevation to the executive this year comes as the company is coming out of a difficult period, having reported a net loss after tax of $75.4 million for the year to July 31 2026 – but that includes a sharp turnaround of a net loss of $80.6 million for the first half of the financial year, then a net profit of $5.2 million in the second half.

Williams says the company’s recent problems have been met by reinvestment by shareholders Bright Dairy and A2 Milk, and by refocusing operations on the Dunsandel plant, with all suppliers now in Canterbury.

Williams says Synlait has had its ups and downs, but he has stayed through the tough times because he likes the company, what it stands for, and that it has always attracted “really good people who just want to get on with things”.

He adds he also enjoys working with the farmer suppliers, who have also shown their loyalty to the company.

“Most of the ones that started in 2008 are still there as well.”