The extensive scope of work during this crucial downtime includes deep cleaning, thorough inspections, and comprehensive servicing of an staggering 165,000 individual assets. This monumental effort is a collaborative undertaking, involving over 1600 dedicated Fonterra employees working hand-in-hand with more than 640 specialized vendors. Their coordinated efforts are essential to maintain the high standards of dairy processing and prepare for the influx of milk supply.

This dedicated maintenance window is indispensable because Fonterra’s sites operate at near full capacity for approximately 10 months of the year, processing an immense volume exceeding 16 billion liters of milk. Such intense operational demands leave minimal opportunity for routine maintenance during the peak dairy season. The strategic “winter shut” prevents potential breakdowns and ensures maximum efficiency and uncompromised product quality when production is at its highest.

Beyond routine upkeep, Fonterra is also advancing several major projects during this period. Notable initiatives include replacing coal-fired boilers with more sustainable electrode boilers at the Edendale site, a move reflecting the dairy industry’s push towards environmental sustainability. Additionally, the Takaka site is receiving upgrades with new cream silos, and production capacity for cheese and cream plants is being significantly increased at both Waitara and Eltham.