Fonterra working hard over the Christmas period

Fonterra will have 13,350 people working hard to keep the 24-hour, seven day a week business going to ensure New Zealand has fresh supplies of milk over the Christmas holiday period.

Gary Romano, MD of trade and operations, said: “On Christmas day all of our 10,500 farmers will be putting the milking cups on; 850 drivers will be on the road; 1,800 manufacturing staff will be on site and 200 supply chain staff will be packing our export containers.”

December is shaping up to be the company’s biggest month for exports so far.

The company broke production records in October, collecting a record of 81.5m litres on one day and December is set to be a busy month too.

“It takes a big team to keep New Zealand’s biggest company going,” Romano said.

With its Co-operative structure, Fonterra is owned by more than 10,000 farmer shareholders in New Zealand.