What we stand for
The dairy industry is built from the ground up, and we are committed to making a positive difference to our people, our farmers, our customers, our communities and environments where we operate.
The site is earmarked for $7 million of projects which will increase its daily milk processing capacity from around 2.2 million litres to over 2.6 million litres. The facility produces nutritional powders used in infant formula and whole, skim and fat-filled milk powders for the domestic and export markets.
Andrew Nooy, Darnum Site Manager for Fonterra Australia, says the projects will contribute to greater plant efficiencies which in turn will improve yields.
“Every dollar you spend removing bottlenecks and improving your production systems delivers better yields from the milk going through the plant. The aim is not to waste a single drop and we are always looking for ways to improve efficiencies and yields.”
Mr Nooy says Fonterra Australia’s $165 million investment to grow capacity and increase efficiencies is another vote of confidence in the Australian dairy industry and sends a clear signal to global customers that demand can be met.
“As well as investing in more capacity, Fonterra Australia is encouraging more farmers to join us as suppliers.
“Our Australian milk pool has grown by 400 million litres this season, and with this new investment we plan to grow our milk further which we expect will come through growth from our existing farmers who wish to grow, coupled with milk from new suppliers joining Fonterra.
“We’re investing in the capacity for additional milk volumes across all of our seven sites so we can meet continued demand in the local and global markets,” concluded Mr Nooy.
In addition to the capital expansion, the company has employed an additional 15 drivers after investing more than $8 million in 14 truck and trailer units across its milk collection regions in Victoria and Tasmania.
About Fonterra’s Darnum plant