Danone has invested NZL 25 million ($18.3 million) in its Airport Oaks infant formula blending and processing facility in Auckland, New Zealand. Danone says that the investment will double the production capacity of the facility, and will allow the brand to export greater quantities of infant nutrition products to other markets in the region such as Australia and China. The investment comes as part of the company’s investment programme in New Zealand, which began with the acquisition of the Balclutha spray dryer and the Airport Oaks blending, packing and canning facilities in 2014. Since then, the brand has invested NZL 85 million ($62.1 million) to upgrade and expand the production of infant nutrition products in the country. Cyril Marniquet, New Zealand operations director for Danone Early Life Nutrition said: “New Zealand has a strong reputation for high-quality milk and efficient production. “We’re proud to be a growing part of the New Zealand dairy story through our high-quality international brands and expertise in early life nutrition. “Australia continues to be our number one export destination but we’re seeing growing demand for our international products in other markets, including China. “By doubling production capacity we’re better placed than ever before to meet ongoing demand in key markets.” Marniquet added: “Today we have end-to-end processing capability, with 450 people working in our New Zealand processing operations – up from 300 in 2014. “We have been granted approval by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China to manufacture and export direct to China from the Auckland plant. “We’ve also been granted with a Halal License from the New Zealand Islamic Development Trust. “Both certifications are recognition of the stringent processes we undertake for food safety, quality, hygiene and manufacturing. Importantly, they open up exciting future trade opportunities.”
French food company Danone will double production at its Airport Oaks infant formula plant in New Zealand, following a NZD25m ($18.3m) investment. Danone has spent NZD85m on an expansion program in expectation of increased demand from markets such as China. The company was recently granted Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China and a Halal Licence from the New Zealand Islamic Development Trust, enabling it to explore "exciting future trade opportunities".