Yili in Global Top 5 dairy companies
Yili, which operates Westland Dairy Company and Oceania Dairy, has consolidated its position among the top five dairy companies in the world.
A new Ultra High Temperature (UHT) plant, infant formula canning line, blending facilities, a whole milk powder dryer, and facilities to manufacture UHT milk products and lactoferrin, takes total investment in Oceania to more than $600 million.
The announcement was made at a ceremony in Auckland on Saturday attended by Yili Group chairman, Pan Gang and Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley.
The completion of the stage two development will provide a significant economic boost to the South Canterbury region, including for farmers and milk suppliers. Yili is developing a set-price mechanism for the price of milk whereby the milk price is guaranteed to improve year-on-year cash flow management for farmers.
The company is actively working with farmers in the district to augment its milk supply to meet its growing production needs; 67 farmers currently supply milk to Oceania Dairy.
Yili Oceania Dairy is also launching a major recruitment drive having boosted employment at the plant during stage two development. Currently more than 90% of the existing staff are local residents. The company is committed to employing all workshop operators, laboratory staff, warehouse managers and administrative staff from the local community following stage two completion.
It is also plans to work with regional economic development agencies to promote local economic development.
For its China market, Yili Group also announced it is launching a new premium PRO-KIDO Ruihu infant formula.
Gang, said his company was fully committed to New Zealand, as evidenced by the significant and ongoing investment in Glenavy.
Yili has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Lincoln University and Oceania Dairy’s research and development manager Dr Philip Wescombe is now based at the university to assist in the establishment of a new research and development centre.
“We consider Lincoln to be one of the finest agricultural tertiary providers in the world and we think this joint venture will generate innovation to the benefit of not only Yili group but the wider New Zealand dairy sector,” Gang said.
Yili opened the Oceania Dairy plant in 2014, its first overseas dairy venture.
