DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 23, 2014
NEWS // 9
Formula makers leaves botulism scare behind PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
DANONE NUTRICIA
estimates 60,000 more cows will be needed to meet the growth projection of its company in New Zealand by 2020, says Nutricia’s managing director ANZ, Corine Tap. The company held a function attended by Prime Minister John Key last week to mark the amalgamation of Gardians and the Sutton Group into Nutricia’s NZ operation. “This acquisition is a strategic move to support our business in New Zealand, Australia and Asia,” Tap told Dairy News. “This is to support long term sustainable growth both from a milk supply perspective as well as from a manufacturing perspective. “We already have production facilities, we were one of the first to get approval from the CNCA (Chinese accreditation authority) – Danone standards are the highest in the world. However we were looking to expand our capacity in this part of the world and Suttons and Gardians opportunity matched exactly what we were looking for. “The intent is to continue to invest in the two sites we have acquired to support the growth and demand coming from New Zealand and Australia and the rest of the region, therefore we envisage by 2020 we will need approximately the supply of more 60,000 cows. It is a journey.”
Danone Nutricia already has agreements with farmers and “we will continue to have more agreements with more farmers”. “We are supporting nutrition in the first 1000 days… the move is supporting the brands we already have but with new product lines with more nutritional products that support the first 1000 days.” Tap told the launch event held at its newly acquired Auckland facility that merging operations will provide additional infant formula blending and packing facilities at that site, a large milk drying capacity in Balclutha and long term fresh milk supply. Danone intends to double the capacity of the plants. “We will be supporting not only Karicare here and other brands in New Zealand but also Australia, Hong Kong, China and many more countries in Asia. This is a truly strategic location to support our growing business in this region. “It is also a sign of our commitment to New Zealand and the talented New Zealand workforce. It means opportunities for more than 200 employees we have welcomed across two new sites and now we begin a new mission to transition into a unified team in all the different Nutricia locations, combining skills resource and capabilities.” The development comes after a “very tough year” following the Fonterra botulism false alarm.
NEW FACILITY ■■
The can forming plant can produce 50 million cans per year.
■■
The plant has a total capacity to pack 35,000m t per year of product into can format and a 70,000m t per year capacity when other packaging formats are included.
■■
The plant has 11 packing lines, with the ability to manufacture in five different formats, including steel cans, plastic tubs, single serve sachets, pouches and small and large form sachets.
■■
Danone will double the capacity of the can packing lines over the coming year.
■■
Product produced at the plant will be used for the local market and export.
“That Fonterra scare caused considerable trauma to our customers, our staff and to our industry. Yet our commitment to never compromising safety and quality meant we complied with the extensive and expen-
sive recall that proved unwarranted. Today is further proof that despite that considerable upset Danone Nutricia will continue to build on our commitment to innovate.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
Corine Tap, Danone Nutricia, and John Key.