GFF
12/06/2014 10:30
ASSET
REL: 1030 HRS Goodman Fielder Limited
ASSET: GFF: NZ$27M Investment to Expand Christchurch UHT Milk Plant
Goodman Fielder announced today that it will expand and upgrade its ultra
heat treated (UHT) milk plant in Christchurch, New Zealand, increasing its
capacity to meet growth opportunities across the Asia Pacific region.
The NZ$27 million project will see the extension of the existing UHT
building, installation of a new pasteurising, sterilising and palletising
line as well as the installation of a new 250 ml high speed filler. The work
is expected to be completed by October 2015 and will boost production at the
site by around 32 million litres per year, an increase of 50 per cent on the
plant's existing UHT volume.
Goodman Fielder CEO, Chris Delaney, said the project would enable the company
to leverage its existing export capacity to Asia Pacific by meeting the
growing demand for dairy products across the region and particularly in
China.
"The premium UHT category in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow by around 50
per cent over the next five years. This project will provide us with
additional capacity to address this growing market through our iconic New
Zealand Meadow Fresh brand and distribution capability," said Mr Delaney.
"We are seeing increasing demand for our Meadow Fresh products in Asia
Pacific, particularly China, as we continue to build on New Zealand's
natural, high quality dairy credentials. We are investing now to meet that
demand and also plan for future growth.
"It is also very rewarding to be able to commit to a major investment at
Meadow Fresh Christchurch given the impact that natural disasters have had on
our site and our people over the last three years," he said.
New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, attended today's announcement made to
Goodman Fielder staff at the Blenheim Road site.
Construction of the new building and production line will require 40 full
time equivalent roles for the eight month construction period, and the
resulting increase in volume will eventually see 12 new production roles
created at the site.
Goodman Fielder currently employees 230 people at the site which produces
fresh milk for delivery throughout the South Island and UHT milk products
predominantly for export markets.
* * * * * * *
For further information contact:
Martin Cole
Director, Corporate Affairs
+61 2 8899 7272
For New Zealand media enquiries contact:
Ra Fletcher
Communications & PR Manager
+64 27 705 9742
End CA:00251495 For:GFF Type:ASSET Time:2014-06-12 10:30:30
