Fonterra invests US$93.5M in new Taranaki cool store

NEW ZEALAND – Fonterra has announced a US$93.5 million investment to construct a new cool store at its Whareroa site in Taranaki, New Zealand. 

The construction of the cool store is set to begin in October, 2024 and will take place over three years, providing a major boost to the local economy and employment.

The store, designed to accommodate up to 26,000 tonnes of cheese, will be built in two stages, ensuring that the existing operations at the Whareroa site remain uninterrupted. 

Once completed, the new facility will have 5,000 tonnes more storage capacity than the current infrastructure, capable of holding the equivalent of 26 million 1kg blocks of cheddar.

South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon welcomed the investment, describing it as a timely boost for the district, seeing that it is expected to employ up to 150 additional workers at its peak

“This project not only highlights Fonterra’s confidence in the future of dairy but also provides critical employment opportunities for the local community,” Nixon said. 

In addition, according to Scott Nelson, Fonterra’s general manager for the Lower North Island, the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to the region and the dairy industry’s future.

 “It’s going to have an ongoing impact on local businesses, whether it’s through direct employment, services, or accommodation for the project’s workers, he stated.

Established in 1972, the Whareroa site currently employs over 11,000 staff across 11 plants, producing a range of dairy products, including mozzarella, dry salt cheese, butter, and milk powder. 

This announcement follows news of other recent investments, including the construction of a new protein plant at the Studholme site and a UHT cream plant at the Edendale site in Southland, New Zealand. 

The UHT plant is set to add 50 million liters of processing capacity, potentially exceeding 100 million liters by 2030, creating 70 new jobs at Edendale.

“Our strong balance sheet allows us to invest for future growth, supporting our strategy to prioritize the ingredients and foodservice businesses. These investments are crucial for creating more value for our cooperative,” Fonterra’s CEO, Miles Hurrell, commented on the ongoing investments.

In addition to its New Zealand operations, Fonterra’s investment strategy sees its Heerenveen facility in the Netherlands play a vital role in producing high-value dairy products for Europe.

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