Business South August 2020

18 | Volume 29 | Issue 4 businesssouth I N S U R A N C E R I S K F I N A N C I A L • • For expertise you can rely on, talk to Abbott Insurance Brokers. Specialty businesses need specialized advice 0800 238 473 03 366 7536 “As we move from start up-phase we will be looking to increase our staff numbers, particularly when infrastructure is added for second production line as demand increases.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT » NZ Dairy Collaborative New dairy plant swings into action Located on the outskirts of Ashburton the NZDCL manufacturing plant is brimming with the latest technology. Richard Loader S urrounded by dairy farmland and on the northern edge of the thriving Mid-Canterbury township of Ashburton, NZ Dairy Collaborative Limited’s (NZDCL) newly built state-of-the-art facil- ity has just commenced manufacture and packing of high quality milk powder products. With commissioning completed in June of 2019, the first commercial production run was November that same year. Licensed to manufacture cow and goat milk nutiritonal powder products for a wide range of demographics including toddlers, sports people and pregnant women, the plant is brimming with the latest technology offering complete flexibility and control over the product line and providing tailored product solutions for its export markets. Kathryn Greenslade, Quality Technical Manager for NZDCL says the plant has adopted the world- renowned Swiss INDOSA production solution for filling, seaming and packing equipment while the GEA powder handling equipment is sourced from Germany. “These systems allow us to produce finished products at the highest quality. The residue oxygen level is much lower than industry standards, result- ing in fresher products with a longer shelf life. “Our HVAC system, nitrogen generator, compres- sors, air handler and other equipment are all world- class machinery systems.” While canned format is currently preferred, there is potential to pack in other formats including sachets. The 6295sqm manufacturing plant includes pro- vison for a ground floor viewing platform, providing visitors with a bird’s eye view of the filling, sealing and packing processes. Built upon five key pillars: high quality, legally compliant, efficient and accurate, latest technol- ogy and being flexible, the plant is 49% owned by Fineboon, a Chinese based company. “Fineboon want to specialise in infant formula using goat milk powder because it is easy for infants to digest,” explains Kathryn. “Once MPI approval is received we will be able to manufacture high quality infant formulas. “The rest of the plant is owned by other Kiwi interests including Kiwicorp, an Asburton-based business.” NZDCL’s bovine to goat milk formulated recipes ratio currently sits at 1:1, with base powders and ingredients sourced from major manufacturers in New Zealand including Fonterra, Open Country Dairy and Westland for bovine powder and Food Waikato for goat milk powder. “Our existing production line allows for 20 cans a minute and the plant has potential for 1200 x 900 gram cans per hour—that’s the standard size cans of infant formula you would see in the supermar- kets. “Currently everything we produce goes to export, with China and Taiwan being our main customers. The canned product is loaded into a container at the plant, and then transported by truck to Lyttelton where it’s shipped to its country of destination.” Receiving MPI approval to export a week before Covid-19 lockdown, the first container load was sent off just before Easter with production now reaching a container each week. Understanding the importance of traceability when buying nutritious food products, all NZDCL’s products come with internationally approved trace- ability with full supply chain verification, allowing consumers to verify product authenticity and origins digitally. The majority of NZDCL’s 15-person team including production staff, tecnicians and supply chain staff, were drawn from Ashburton, with most already experienced in the dairy industry. “Because we’re still in start-up mode we’re not producing to our maximum capacity yet. “As we move from start up-phase we will be looking to increase our staff numbers, particularly when infrastructure is added for second production line as demand increases.” Reflecting on Covid-9 level 4 lockdown, social distancing and production, Kathryn says the small size of the team meant there was no impact on pro- duction and given Ashburton is surrounded by farms with so many essential workers it really seemed like normal—but with less cars on the road.