PNL is a stand-alone blending and canning company, which will can milk powders and other nutritional products sourced from Westland for Ausnutria and other customers.
The company was established through an initial investment by Ausnutria of NZ$4.5m (US$3.2m), and the transfer to Pure Nutrition of land owned by Westland at its Rolleston site, which had a value of NZ$3m (US$2.2m).
Ownership of the JV is 60% Ausnutria and 40% Westland Milk Products.
Chinese registration
Pure Nutrition general manager, Terry Wu, said the Rolleston plant has received all of its certifications from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries and can now export non-infant formula to every country.
Chinese registration for infant formula is pending and expected to be completed soon.
The factory opened with 24 staff and Wu said this is likely to expand, especially once processing for Ausnutria’s Chinese market begins.
The plant is capable of canning 30,000 tonnes of nutritional product per year when running at full capacity.
Expansion plans
Ausnutria chairman Weibin Yan said the formation of the JV is an important milestone for Ausnutria and part of Ausnutria’s global expansion plan to access milk supply throughout the world.
Pure Nutrition will be primarily responsible for the production of the Puredo series of products for Ausnutria.
Westland chief executive Toni Brendish said the JV relationship was an important part of the partnership between Ausnutria and Westland and the agreement also provided Westland access to the canning plant to process product destined for customers other than Ausnutria.
“Pure Nutrition is effectively, a substantial new customer for Westland Milk Products,” Brendish said.
“In addition to the direct sales to Ausnutria in China, which will continue, Westland will be the joint venture’s supplier of dairy based powders for Ausnutria and other customers.”
The joint venture has a five-year establishment phase, during which profits will be re-invested into the business, after which dividends will be paid to both partners.