a2MC eyes own processing plant, more Chinese labels
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
SYNLAIT MILK is intent on selling more to key customers and growing its infant formula and nutritional sales, chairman Graeme Milne told the annual meeting of shareholders last week.
The 2014 year was good for farmers but volatility made it difficult to consistently achieve profit margins, and changes in infant formula market regulations in China “added complexity”, he said.
“However we are now in a strong position to take advantage of increased sales in this market.”
But the benefit of greater infant formula and nutritional sales expected to be balanced out by increased operating and funding costs.
Milne said Synlait intended to update its milk supply pricing in January 2015 with an update to its FY2015 forecast in March 2015 and news of interim results.
Managing director John Penno said infant formula and nutritional markets were now almost 50% of the business, with 45% of sales committed to four multinationals.
Capital projects this year include the completion of a third spray drier and a large quality testing laboratory at Dunsandel.
Synlait increased its revenue in 2014 by 43% to $600 million, up from $420m in 2013 and above the forecast of $524m.
ANZ says the latest cut to its floating rates will be welcome news to many of its business and agri customers still feeling the effects of high inflation and interest rates.
Fonterra has introduced a new UHT bakery cream for its booming foodservice business in China.
Auckland manufacturer and distributor of colostrum-based supplements, New Image International, celebrated its 40th anniversary this month.
LIC farmers are set to benefit from a genetics collaboration with US company, Sexing Technologies (ST).
"It was awesome to see not only where our milk goes but to find out more about the range of ways it's used."
OPINION: A group of University of Auckland academics claim a carbon tax is the most effective way for New Zealand…
OPINION: The new Labour Government in the UK is facing the wrath of farmers. Last week thousands of farmers and…