Goodman Fielder has completed a major expansion of its Meadow Fresh Christchurch manufacturing operations, part of more than $100 million invested at the site over the past three years.
The investment has increased Meadow Fresh’s manufacturing and distribution capability, supporting growing domestic and international demand for higher-value New Zealand-made dairy products.
The new Meadow Fresh High Value Dairy Centre was officially opened today by Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister.
At the centre of the investment is the new Meadow Fresh High Value Dairy Centre, which increases the company’s capability to manufacture high-value UHT dairy products for domestic and export markets, including high-protein milk products for China and Southeast Asia. The investment reinforces Christchurch's position as a key centre for New Zealand dairy manufacturing and supports the long-term growth of the Canterbury food and beverage sector.
The expansion supports Goodman Fielder’s growing presence in China and Southeast Asia, including a long-term supply partnership with Yihai Kerry Arawana, a subsidiary of Wilmar International, for the regions’ retail and foodservice markets.
The Christchurch investment includes a state-of-the-art R&D pilot plant for new product development, ultra-filtration technology for high-protein dairy products and an automated pallet racking system to efficiently move finished products through the supply chain.
Goodman Fielder New Zealand CEO Bernard Duignan said the expansion was an important step in the continued growth of the Meadow Fresh business.
“The investment in this plant is a response to growing domestic and export demand and reflects our confidence in New Zealand’s ability to produce world-leading, high-quality dairy products that are valued both here at home and around the world,” Mr Duignan said.
“Through this expansion, we’re increasing our capability to manufacture innovative, high-value dairy products and creating opportunities to add more value in New Zealand, as well as take New Zealand-made products to more international customers and markets.”
The investment has created 25 new jobs, taking the Meadow Fresh Christchurch team to 280 people.
Across Christchurch and Longburn in Palmerston North, more than 500 people work in Goodman Fielder’s Meadow Fresh dairy operations. The two sites handle more than 250 million litres of milk annually.
Meadow Fresh has been producing dairy products in New Zealand for more than 60 years, with strong roots in Canterbury and across the South Island. Its products are sold throughout New Zealand across retail and foodservice channels, with the brand also growing in markets throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
“Christchurch and Canterbury, with their growing dairy industry and strong infrastructure, continue to play an important role in Meadow Fresh’s manufacturing operations and future growth,” Mr Duignan said.
The Christchurch investment forms part of a broader programme of investment by Wilmar International and Goodman Fielder in New Zealand. Over the past five years, the companies have invested approximately $300 million in local manufacturing capability, technology and people throughout New Zealand.
Goodman Fielder employs approximately 1,700 people across 12 manufacturing sites in New Zealand. Its portfolio includes some of the country’s best-known food brands, including Meadow Fresh, Puhoi Valley, Vogel’s, Freya’s, Molenberg, Nature’s Fresh, Olivani, Edmonds and Chelsea Sugar.
