SYNLAIT MILK LIMITED NZX: SML
ANNOUNCEMENT ASX: SM1
29 MAY 2018
The build of Synlait’s liquid packaging facility is on track
Synlait Milk (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) is pleased with the progress made on the building of its advanced liquid dairy
packaging facility by Tetra Pak.
The two companies have worked together for over ten years, beginning with the building of Synlait’s anhydrous milkfat
(AMF) plant in 2007.
The new facility will produce fresh milk and cream for Foodstuffs South Island's private label brands from early 2019,
and will be a platform for Synlait to pursue a range of dairy-based products for export markets.
Tetra Pak is a subsidiary of the Tetra Laval Group, which is a multinational food packaging and liquid food processing
company focusing on milk. It is considered a world leader in sterile packaging plants that can offer a range of
packaging formats.
“Synlait and Tetra Pak are working closely to ensure the new facility includes as many new technology advances as
possible, and that we make the most of any new product offerings,” says Neil Betteridge, Director Operations.
“The $125 million facility will be highly automated and include milk track and trace systems, and the latest PET inline
sterile bottle blowing technology. We will also have cool store automated packing and order-picking gantries,” says Mr
Betteridge.
“All of these capabilities combine to create a smart, modern and efficient facility that can produce both domestic
products for the South Island market and export products to the highest food safety standards,” he says.
The facility will be one of the most sophisticated fresh milk and cream processing facilities in New Zealand, and will
produce up to 24,000 bottles per hour.
Construction of the facility began in February and preliminary work such as foundations and site services were completed
in May. The focus has now shifted to completing exterior walls and making the facility watertight, in order to begin the
internal construction of processing equipment and facilities.
Synlait’s advanced liquid dairy packaging facility is expected to be commissioned in early 2019.
“We are excited about this new chapter in our history and we will be looking to hire talented operations staff to
operate the new facility in late 2018,” says Mr Betteridge.
Interested candidates can keep an eye on careers.synlait.com for more information on roles.
ENDS