Coutts appointed chair-elect of Mainland Group
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Fonterra has paid $30 million to boost its stake in struggling Chilean milk processor Prolesur.
The 13.6% stake bought from Fundación Isabel Aninat takes the co-op’s stake in Prolesur to 99.9%.
Prolesur, based in southern Chile which sells most of its production to Soprole, a leading consumer branded dairy company in Chile and is 99.9% owned by Fonterra.
The remaining 0.1% of Prolesur’s shares are held by minority shareholders, which Fonterra will offer to purchase at the same price per share being paid to the Fundación for its shareholding.
Fonterra chief executive Africa, Middle East, Europe, North Asia and the Americas (AMENA) Kelvin Wickham says the acquisition allows Fonterra to simplify the interface between Prolesur and Soprole and take steps to better integrate the two businesses.
Both Prolesur and Soprole have faced challenging trading conditions in recent years.
“Having the two more closely integrated will generate operating efficiencies across the supply chain from milk collection, to processing and administration,” says Wickham.
“It also allows us greater flexibility as we focus on realising the best value for the co-op from our businesses in Chile in line with our new strategy.”
Fonterra’s new strategy focuses on using mostly milk from its New Zealand farmer suppliers to supply dairy products around the world.
It is looking at streamlining overseas milk pools; China, Chile and Australia.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.