| 47 MANUFACTURING Free Flow Manufacturing www.gvi.co.nz • Import / Export Air & Ocean • Customs Brokerage • Third Party Logistics (3PL) • Perishable Logistics • Event Logistics • Project Logistics Proudly Supporting Free Flow Manufacturing T T Kim Newth Dedicated team keeps beverages flowing The innovative brewhouse operation can process both beer and plant-based milk. Auckland’s Free Flow Manufacturing was a prominent finalist at the recent Minister for Manufacturing Awards 2026, making the cut in two categories – Process Innovation and Emerging Leader of the Year (Tyler Thurston). Showcasing manufacturing excellence, this year’s finalists were described as exceptional. The sector was praised for ongoing performance in the face of sustained global and workforce pressures. New Zealand-owned-and-operated, Free Flow Manufacturing is an independent beverage manufacturer. In 2024, the company launched a ground-breaking brewhouse and Tetra Pak line. The first of its kind in the world, the innovative brewhouse operation can process both beer and plant-based milk. This investment has enabled the company to grow and be flexible and responsive. Adam Sorensen, one of the company’s founders, says their ongoing success owes much to impeccable quality control from day one, along with a commitment to excellent customer service. As a reliable contract manufacturer, Free Flow Manufacturing is enabling trailblazing beverage brands to flourish. “Since inception, we have been on a significant growth curve,” says Adam. “Even in difficult times, it’s the team around you that makes it happen and gets you where you need to be. Last month [May 2026] was a record month for us, which is particularly exciting given that this is normally our quiet season.” Leading the team as chief operating officer is Tyler Thurston, who was a finalist for the Emerging Manufacturing Leader of the Year Award. Appointed less than a year ago, he has already made a big impact. “Tyler has 15 years’ manufacturing experience from the US originally. He’s brought that wealth of knowledge and expertise in leading teams, and has made a quick impression on us. It is already starting to bear fruit and marks the start of a bigger journey as well,” says Adam. Team-building initiatives introduced to date include an employee spotlight programme to highlight staff members going above and beyond. Up to 65 people are working on-site to deliver production. Free Flow Manufacturing’s world-class milk-processing facility, integrated with a brewhouse, grew out of a partnership with Krones, Steinecker and Tetra Pak, and a collaboration between Free Flow Manufacturing and their foundation customer, Otis Oat Milk. Today, there is capacity to produce 30 million litres of plant-based milk and other aseptic beverages into Tetra Paks, and the company offers an easy, high-quality canning process. Free Flow drew on German engineering expertise and knowledge to achieve their state-ofthe-art operation. “Our Krones equipment is industry-leading kit,” says Adam. “Their knowledge base around anything beverage-based and manufacturing is exceptional. A plant like this is a complicated beast, and we had our fair share of teething issues in the first year, but that was all resolved by mid-last year. We went from not being able to run 10,000 litres to running 85,000 litres on our biggest day so far.” Free Flow Manufacturing’s customer base in 2026 spans large corporate customers like Suntory, right through to small-scale operators. Beverages manufactured include sparkling water, energy drinks, RTDs, probiotic drinks, beer, cider and plant-based milk. Their own sparkling water brand, Vista, which originally kicked off the idea of developing in-house manufacturing facilities, is now a first-equal market leader.
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