Fonterra to invest in cheese

19 Sep 2016

Fonterra Australia is to make a $AU4.3 million investment to boost cheese and whey capacity at its Wynyard plant in Tasmania, increasing the plant’s cheese making capacity by 8,000 MT per annum.

Fonterra Australia is to make a $AU4.3 million investment to boost cheese and whey capacity at its Wynyard plant in Tasmania. The investment will increase the plant’s cheese making capacity by 8,000 MT per annum by quickening every step of the cheese making process. The extra capacity will help the Wynyard plant keep up with what Fonterra says is the growing demand for Fonterra’s cheese and whey from its domestic and export customers.

Fonterra Australia Regional Operations Manager South Steve Taylor said that the Wynyard factory is a key part of Fonterra’s global multi-hub strategy.

“Tasmania is an important region for Fonterra and our multi-hub strategy, and we continue to invest here for the long-term. We’re a major regional employer and we’re proud of the work we do and our involvement in the local communities,” he said. “The more we invest for growth the more competitive our business will be, putting us in a strong position to manage global volatility, pay the best possible price to farmers and the best possible returns to our shareholders.”

The Wynyard plant has been running at full capacity since a fire destroyed the Victorian cheese plant at Stanhope in December 2014. The Wynyard expansion will see Fonterra’s total Australian cheese production increase by 50% once the Stanhope plant is commissioned in mid-2017.