Page 38 - Food&Drink September 2019

FOOD EXPORT
Jamestrong opens $15m can making facility in NZ
China’s insatiable appetite for infant formula is driving ongoing investment in packaging for this ‘white gold’. Market leader in metal can supply, Jamestrong, has opened its third ANZ facility in three years.
Lindy Hughson reports.
INFANT formula has been dubbed the white gold of the ANZ region, and the attendant rush seems to be showing no signs of abating with China driving demand and growth. The industry has an estimated value of $32 billion per annum, enjoying a CAGR of over five per cent. For Jamestrong Packaging, a market leading supplier of metal cans to infant formula manufacturers, this is good news.
At the opening of the company’s Wiri, Auckland facility, its third plant in the region and the second in New Zealand in under two years, ANZ CEO Alex Commins said, “It’s quite incredible to be part of an industry where there is an insatiable appetite for our local product.”
Addressing the invited guests, which included Jamestrong shareholders, employees and customers, Commins said stringent food safety and quality controls were integral to the Jamestrong Packaging manufacturing regime, and a key focus when commissioning a new high care facility that produces metal packaging intended for infant formula.
He noted that infant formula from the region was considered of green and safe provenance, and that it was
incumbent on Jamestrong to ensure the safety of its end of the supply chain by investing in high care manufacturing of the highest standard.
“As we stand here tonight marvelling at modern technology, and at metal packaging at its sexiest, we reflect on the fact that we are but one part of a crucial supply chain of a life source
– milk – and the nutrients within it that sustain life.
“However, if not properly cared for from its source to the point of delivery... a precious baby human being could be put at risk. Our job within our business is clear. Take all risk out of play.”
million investment in 2016 saw the commissioning of the first high care facility for infant formula can manufacture at Jamestrong’s Australian site in Kyabram, Victoria. In March 2016, a second $13 million high-care facility opened in Christchurch, NZ. And the newest plant in Auckland, at $15 million, brings the total investment to $52 million.
“This investment and execution in set up of high care infant formula can making is unrivalled in the Trans-Tasman market hands down,” he said.
Commins went on to thank key customer Synlait and its partner A2 for putting their faith
LEFT: A2 Milk Company uses packaging made at the Jamestrong facility.
BELOW: Jamestrong
ANZ CEO, Alex Commins: ‘Our job is clear... take all risk out of play.’
“ The infant formula market is an industry where safety is everything, and failure right through the supply chain, is simply not an option.”
Commins said: “The fact that we have opened three production facilities in just over three years speaks volumes about the trajectory of New Zealand and Australia’s infant formula market and the demand coming from international markets, in particular China.”
He added that a further $12
in Jamestrong as their critical supply partner. Jamestrong and Synlait recently signed a long-term supply agreement.
Apart from Synlait, other customers in attendance included Oceania/Yili, Bodco, Pure Nutrition, as well as potential customers New Zealand New Milk, Blue River Dairy, GMP and Fonterra. ✷
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