NZ Dairy Winter 2020

• from page 3 Yashili keen to connect with the local community “We’re just intent on working with the best possible people, engage with the most passionate milk producer farmers and to ensure our plant and systems are second-to-none. If we continue to do this then our success and the benefits it will bring to our staff, the region and this community will be assured.” Yashili NZ Dairy Company managing director David Song says he would ‘welcome a conversation with any dairy farmer within an 80km-150km radius of our plant in Pokeno.’ ensuring our workers feel welcomed and accepted. Most of them are from within the Pokeno and sur- rounding areas.” Asked what he most enjoys leading the pioneer- ing years of the company here David says it comes down to having the opportunity to help see his staff grow professionally. “It’s my philosophy that to lead you have to be led and my focus is to help individuals in this busi- ness.” The three year plan is to reach maximum produc- tion though David admits it’s difficult to be certain about growth forecasts given the business dynam- ics changing constantly in America, China, Europe and Africa. “We’re just intent on working with the best possible people, engage with the most passionate milk producer farmers and to ensure our plant and systems are second-to-none. If we continue to do this then our success and the benefits it will bring to our staff, the region and this community will be assured.” He looks at employees such as Clint Hackworth, who since joining Yashili has progressed from a canning operator to management and Kelly Ed- monds, whose career evolved from ‘ground-zero’ to health and safety manager. “She was so good at her role that she was head- hunted by an Auckland company. We’re very proud that we were part of helping her achieve that.” To connect with the local community and with those interested in seeing the plant, including farmers potentially considering supplying Yashili, an open day has been planned for March 29. It’s also a fundraiser for the local St John. Summarising how committed he is to the products Yashili NZ Dairy Company manufacture David says: “We step into this with passion to share. What we make is sustaining and nurturing the most important people on the planet. “We’re not here to make quick money but to work in sustainable ways that enhance the com- munity and culture we operate in.” Any dairy farmer keen to learn more about sup- plying Yashili NZ Dairy Company can contact David. “I would welcome a conversation with any dairy farmer within an 80km-150km radius of our plant in Pokeno.” Powder Projects is proud to have designed, constructed and commissioned the Infant Formula Blending Plant in 2015 for Yashili NewZealandDairy Co. “WE CONGRATULATE THE YASHILI NEW ZEALAND DAIRY CO. TEAMON THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF AWORLD CLASS FACILITY” Powder Projects is proudly 100% Kiwi owned and operated. We specialise in the design and installation of Infant Formula, Powder Blending and Can Filling Lines. INFANT FORMULA BLENDING Powder Projects’ state of the art milk powder processing technology has been adopted nationwide by major New Zealand dairy processors such as Yashili. Director Jeff Dance says Powder Projects was tasked with building Yashili New Zealand’s blending plant that feeds their can filling line back in 2015. The system is designed to blend a mixture of powdered ingredients with Yashili’s base powder in the correct proportions to create a nutritional infant formula. The powder is then treated with inert gas, to increase shelf life, before being fed onto the can filling line. Powder is gently conveyed using a vacuum transfer system and all ingredients are precisely weighed before feeding a blender. Stringent hygiene requirements are at the forefront of their technologies’ design and a huge amount of research and development has gone into their systems to ensure bacteria cannot be harboured in the equipment and cross-contamination does not occur. The range of the equipment Powder Projects designs and builds include powder transport and blending systems, pre gassing systems and equipment for 25kg bag handling which includes de-pelletising, conveyors, UV treatment and automated bag tipping. Based in Hamilton, most of Powder Projects’ work is within the dairy industry which takes them all over New Zealand. Jeff says they’re also expanding into Australia and have worked on jobs in China as well. The team consists of Jeff, his business partner John Miles and four other engineers. “Our size is a real point of difference for us, enabling John and I to work closely with our clients.” Powder Projects always aims to work collaboratively on projects with the various partners and disciplines involved, complete each project professionally to a high standard and with a high degree of after-service care. Powder Projects have worked with Yashili since and currently have another project underway. Specialist powder handling equipment 4 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Yashili NZ Dairy Co