44 | to page 46 DAIRY INDUSTRY Oceania Dairy Enjoying the journey with Oceania Richard Loader Thomas Fletcher has been working for Oceania Dairy Ltd (ODL) for two and half years since joining as a 17-year-old. We all need role models in our life to base our best self on and at 20 Thomas Fletcher shines as one of those young people. Thomas has been working for Oceania Dairy Ltd (ODL) for two and half years since leaving Waimate High School as a 17-year-old full of hopes and dreams and a very positive attitude. In that time his journey has taken him from the packing room in the Dryer/AMF plant to running some of the most important equipment on site. His future with the hi-tech milk processor is bright and promising, and speaks just as much of the commitment Oceania Dairy has to developing its people. Coming from the small rural township of Waimate, Thomas was well aware of Oceania Dairy and played social basketball and touch against some of the ODL team members. “Our family has close ties with dairy farming and I ended up talking to one of the managers after a social basketball game,” says Thomas. “That resulted in me applying for a job and starting work here.” Thomas was in the dryer packing room for just three months when he was offered the opportunity to learn the dryer/evaporator processes. “The evaporator is where some of the water is evaporated off the milk. The dryer is a massive chamber where the concentrate is turned into powder. A lot of the work is highly automated from inside a control room using HMI technology (Human Machine Interface). Quality and safety are our main priority and there is a lot of sampling and testing required, particularly when we’re making high quality food for babies.” Agstaff is the leading supplier of staff to the primary industries, specialising in horticulture, agriculture, food production, and manufacturing recruitment. Our national team work seasonally and throughout the country, making sure you are equipped with the staff you need when you need them. • Drug tested • Ministry of Justice checked • Committed to health and safety • Pre-inducted to your business Our candidates are 0800 688 11 44 iforklift.co.nz “Proudly supporting Oceania Dairy with their forklift requirements and ongoing service & maintenance needs” YOUR INDEPENDENT FORKLIFT SOLUTIONS COMPANY Paperless prestart inspec�on app. Showing you are totally commi�ed to health and safety. SERVICE SALES RENTAL LEASING TRANSPORT 24 hour breakdown service Poten�ally Increase your storage capacity from 50 – 100%
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