Fonterra’s Canpac Site Looking to Focus More on Paediatrics
Fonterra is looking at realigning its packing operations at Canpac, in the Waikato, to focus more on paediatric
nutritionals.
This would mean Canpac would move to operating 24 hours a day, Monday-to-Friday, instead of the current seven days a
week operation.
The proposed changes could mean around 110 roles may not be required at the site which currently employs 330.
Fonterra Director of NZ Operations, Robert Spurway said Fonterra is proposing to resize the operation to better align
with Fonterra’s paediatric nutrition strategy.
“We’ve undertaken a thorough review of the site and looked at where to focus the business after some of Canpac’s volume
was reduced, and have been considering options to make the site run more efficiently and a better fit with our
strategy,” he said.
“Canpac already has high quality and food safety standards to meet the needs of paediatric customers.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we are working through a consultation process with our people around
the proposal. This will be a blow for our people and we will do everything we can to work with them to find new
opportunities at our other sites in the Waikato and further afield should they need them.
“As we move into the start of our busy milk processing season we will have more job opportunities at our other sites and
we will aim to fill with those impacted at Canpac.”
Mr Spurway said the Waikato is a vital region for Fonterra, and the Co-operative employs around 2,000 people there and
has invested more than $150 million in the area in the past three years.
“We are continuing looking at where we can further invest in the Waikato, but have to make decisions based on what
aligns with Fonterra’s strategy and will drive the greatest returns to our farmer-shareholders.
“We have invested heavily in our foodservice business, spending $120 million on a new UHT plant at our Waitoa site and
$30 million on a cream cheese plant at Te Rapa, which combined have created 90 permanent jobs, on top of the hundreds
involved in the construction,” he said.
“We have also recently lodged consents to build a new milk powder drier at Lichfield and if this expansion goes ahead it
would mean another 50 processing jobs.”
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