Two Major NZ Dairy Deals Completed
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
Synlait’s shuttle service removes an estimated 360 cars a week from SH1 / Main South Road, one of Canterbury’s busiest, improving road safety for everyone.
Introduced on August 1, it provides employees with a free daily roundtrip shuttle service from Rolleston to Synlait’s Dunsandel site several times in the morning and evening.
Today’s arrival of a new 50-seat coach was welcomed by a crowd of excited employees and will replace a temporary coach, which has operated for the last three months.
“Everyone home safe, every day, is our number one priority. Our shuttle service supports this focus by reducing traffic on Main South Road (SH1) and also has a positive impact on the environment,” says John Penno, managing director and chief executive.
Located 50km south of Christchurch, Synlait has one of the largest integrated and most sophisticated infant formula production sites in the world.
“Many of our employees live in Christchurch, Rolleston and the wider Selwyn region. Initiatives like this improve road safety not just for our team, but for everyone on the road,” says Penno.
On average, 72 cars are removed from Main South Road throughout each weekday, particularly during peak morning and evening traffic times.
The environmental benefit* is estimated to be the equivalent of planting 1,255 trees, or eliminating 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a year.
Penno pointed out the figures would increase as more employees took advantage of the shuttle service.
“Our team has almost doubled in the last two years to more than 430 people. With our next growth phase - a three year, $300 million programme - underway, we’ll continue investing in our team,” says Penno.
Synlait’s transport partner, Hilton Haulage, operates the shuttle service and oversaw the delivery of the new coach.
“It’s a great coach that will make the roundtrip even more comfortable and relaxing for employees. It’s been a rewarding project and is just one example of how we partner with our customers to achieve an exceptional result,”says Scott Crampton, chief executive of Hilton Haulage.
Synlait acknowledged support from both Hilton Haulage and Selwyn District Council made the shuttle service possible.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.
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