44 | Sustainability initiatives The new boiler is in the closing stages of being commissioned, currently running 80-90% on biofuel generated steam for its spray drying processes. from page 42 Clutha: Danone Nutricia REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROUD SUPPORTERS OF DANONE NUTRICIA WaterForce Southland provides industry-leading knowledge, technical expertise and experience. Working with Danone Nutricia, we provide integrated water management solutions to make their land more productive and sustainable. For the latest, most experienced advice and 24/7 after-sales support, contact us at your local WaterForce branch. 0800 436 723 | waterforce.co.nz PUMPING IRRIGATION WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY STOCKWATER Proud to continue our support of Danone Nutricia providing high quality electrical and engineering services Contact your local CEDP branch today Freephone 0508 786 772 www.cedp.co.nz BALCLUTHA | GORE | ALLANTON Your Complete Engineering Services Workshop 100 Ravensbourne Road, Dunedin, Ph: (03) 471-0516 www.palmersmech.co.nz for further information Proud to provide support services and equipment to Danone Nutricia - Hydraulic and pneumatic service/sales/repairs/design - EWP certified / maintenance/ servicing /compliance - Full mechanical workshop and breakdown service - Full machining workshop - Heavy and light fabrication - Hydraulic hose and fittings 100 Ravensbourne Road, Dunedin, Ph: (03) 471-0516 www.palmersmech.co.nz for further information “The main markets include New Zealand, Australia, China and some into South-East Asian countries. Some of the base powder is exported from Balclutha to our own plants in China, Indonesia and Thailand.” Danone has also closely aligned its Balclutha plant’s sustainability initiatives with Karicare, Danone’s major brand in New Zealand that has its roots going back to the muchloved Karitane nursing days. Sustainability initiatives include investing heavily in waste water treatment systems so that the treated outflow is easily applied to surrounding farms for irrigation, and investment in filtration systems that enable water extracted from the cows’ milk during drying to be re-used for Danone’s own cleaning processes. Located 20 minutes south of Balclutha township, many of Danone’s furthest milk intake is just 60 kilometres away, providing both quality and environmental benefits. Steve also acknowledges that a very special relationship exists between Danone and the suppliers. “We want quality milk for our products and so we pay premium over and above the agreed price for the quality of the farmers’ milk. “We also have an extensive knowledge of farm practices and last year started a fiveyear project with one of our farm suppliers around regenerative agriculture, where we are comparing the difference of traditional pasture with regenerative pasture, to ascertain whether we can replicate the output and soil health with less use of nitrogen fertilisers. That project is aligned to and supported by AgResearch.” Employing 125 staff, Danone’s Balclutha plant is one of the largest employers in the region, offering a diverse range of roles and opportunities within its hi-tech and highly automated plant, drawing predominantly from the local Balclutha community. “Roles range from the mechanical/technical side with electricians, fitters and engineers, right through to a huge team ensuring the quality of the products. “Then there are those involved in management and people supervision. “There are many opportunities for people to work in one of our plants around the world, then return to our Balclutha or Auckland plant and bring back the knowledge they have learned. Danone believes strongly in the development of its people. “We always try to fill role vacancies internally, bringing people up through the ranks as well as supporting the teams through dairy and engineering certifications that are available.” Actively supporting the many community organisations through sponsorships, working bees and staff led initiatives is one of those nice things about being part of a local community like Balclutha. As much as anything it’s about the staff being proud to say they work for the company that made something happen like riparian planting or putting native trees back into the ecosystem. But there is also the myriad of local businesses, big and small, that provide services and support to businesses like Danone. “The biomass boiler is a great example of that where we have had about twenty to thirty local contractors on site over the past few years, building that facility,” says Steve.
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