September 1, 2015

First milk off the line at Fonterra Australia's beverages plant

Fonterra Australia has commenced operation of its new beverages plant which will supply Woolworths' Select Own brand milk in Victoria for the next 10 years.

The plant will process up to 100 million litres of milk yearly.

"Today is an important milestone for our Australian business and a key pillar of our strategy," said Judith Swales, the managing director of Fonterra Australia. "The expansion of our Cobden plant will generate over 50 new jobs and have positive flow on effects to the local community and our farmers."

Last year, Fonterra embarked on a multi-million dollar expansion of its Cobden site in Western Victoria by building a state-of-the-art fresh milk facility.

"Everyone involved in the Cobden expansion has done an exceptional job, preparing the site for today. Cobden's quality milk is now on its way to Victorian Woolworths stores, and will help bring the goodness of dairy to the homes of families across the state," Swales added.

Over the next four weeks, the plant will ramp up production of Select Own milk, making it available across Victoria.

The plant will be officially launched at an event in September.