A newsletter for dairy farmer, fruit grower and soy bean grower suppliers to National Foods Spring 08
Colin Loweke:
Queensland Jersey pride
at Willowside
Cover pic: Colin Loweke at his farm Willowside
in Kenilworth Queensland.
New silo a towering symbol
of Queensland growth
A new 200 kilolitre milk silo towers above National Foods
Crestmead plant dwarfing its two long-standing 100KL partners.
The new silo doubles the holding flavoured lines. Crestmead currently Management Plan put in place by
capacity at Crestmead and is processes Pura, Light Start, Tone, the South East Queensland Water
symbolic of the growth that has taken Big M, FUIC (Farmers Union Iced Board. Sixteen water meters have
place in the company’s Queensland Coffee) and Private Label milk been installed throughout the factory
operation over the past nine years. for the Queensland market. The exceeding targeted water reduction
manufacturing plant runs 24 hours goals, and saving 43 million litres
Many National Foods suppliers will
a day, five days a week while of water by December 2007, well in
remember the company taking on
distribution runs around the clock advance of the August 2008 deadline.
direct farm supply back in 2002.
At the time Crestmead was in its six days a week.
The new measures and behaviour
infancy, a key link in National Foods In keeping with national initiatives to around water conservation at the site
plan to establish milk processing and use water more efficiently, Crestmead mean these savings are ongoing
distribution in each state and supply has embraced the Water Efficiency and permanent.
‘local milk to local people’.
Dedicated suppliers
Unlike all other states (except
Victoria) National Foods had no
history of supply and processing
in Queensland. The Crestmead
operation started with zero milk
volume and no contracted
suppliers. Today, National Foods
has 49 suppliers and the plant
processes up to 120 million litres
of milk each year and employs
90 people in operations and
shared services.
Queensland’s rapid population
growth has been concentrated in the
south-east corner. While this popular
area, which includes Brisbane,
the Gold Coast and Ipswich has
inevitably been the major area of
consumer demand, National Foods
now distributes its products across
the state, going as far north as
Cairns, which is further from
Brisbane than Melbourne.
More brands
The product range has also
expanded from the original white A new landmark for Crestmead – (L-R) Mark Collins, Peter Alviso, Jamie Dempsey,
milks to include modified and Malcolm Parrot and Melissa Forrest (Qld Field Officer).
2 National Supplier News
Colin Loweke: 77 years
doing what he loves best
Colin Loweke milked his first cow – a pet Jersey given to him by his father
– at just six years of age, sitting on a stool in the paddock.
Seventy seven years and many These days, Colin and the boys milk He was one of the first dairy farmers
hundreds of cows later, Colin still up to 160 cows in a herringbone to come over to National Foods
loves the life of a dairy farmer. dairy which replaced walk through because he saw it as a fair payment
bails 30 years ago. system for effort.
Following in the well worn steps of
two generations of dairy farmers True to his love of Jersey cows, Colin
before him, Colin purchased his is heavily involved in the local branch
property, Willowside, on the banks of “If anyone has been of the Jersey Breeders Association,
the Obi Obi Creek in the Mary Valley milking cows for longer which was the first club to hold the
region in 1949 – just 12 months after than me – I’d like to On Farm Challenge in Queensland,
marrying the love of his life Rhonda. which is proudly sponsored by
meet them!” National Foods. The club also holds
Since then Colin and Rhonda have
been a devoted team working
Colin Loweke management days and holds an
annual calf show which is designed
tirelessly to create their own legacy
to encourage young people to show
at Willowside; a big workload they Colin says the herd is down in and be involved in the industry.
share with son Wes and grandsons numbers at the moment, with just 100 Personally, Colin has showed cattle
Tony and Josh. milkers, due to the ongoing drought. at Nambour and Maleny shows for
However, it would be fair to say However, they hope to increase the some 30 odd years.
Rhonda has had to learn to share the herd to 160 when all have calved.
This year marks 59 years the
affections of her husband in recent Normally, about 50 replacements are
Loweke family has been milking on
times – with a very special Jersey reared each year with some of the
Willowside. With two generations
cow called Cathy II. heifers sold off each year.
before him and three still actively
Cathy II is Colin’s pride and joy and Colin says the Jerseys are an milking there are now five
in his own words, “the best cow economical cow to milk as they suit generations making up the Loweke
I have ever bred”. It seems like the National Foods payment system. family dairying tradition.
Colin isn’t the only one who thinks
so. Cathy II has won Champion
Cow and Best Udder awards at the
Queensland ‘On the Farm Challenge’
three years running. He bought the
original Cathy cow about 40 years
ago at a sale and has bred a great
line of descendants from her.
When Colin was a lad helping his
dad on the property they milked 110
cows by hand. This involved a team
of six starting at 4am every morning,
going out on foot or on horse-back
to get the cows in by the light of a
hurricane lantern. In those days, a
good hand milker could milk 10 cows
per hour and it would take about two
and a half hours to milk the herd. Colin Loweke and his prize winning Jersey, Cathy.
Spring 08 3
Citrus Australia update
at annual conference
A progress report on the establishment of a new peak organisation to lead the
industry will be presented at the annual citrus conference in Griffith in October.
The Australian Citrus Growers board After a comprehensive planning • Have voting based on area
has recommended amalgamating and consultation period, movement or volume reflecting the level
the industry’s grower funded bodies towards the changed structure is of investment in the industry
into a single structure model through now gathering momentum. In July
• Have a seven member board
a managed, staged process. The an implementation plan began. This made up of:
first stage of the process will be the plan will guide the industry through
establishment of Citrus Australia the transition to Citrus Australia - Four grower member directors
Limited (CAL). Limited. The new organisational - Three directors with commercial
ACG President Mr Mark Chown said: structure is expected to be in place or supply chain experience
“CAL will have a regional, national by December 2008.
• Establish advisory committees to:
and global presence for the first time, In summary, key features of the new
with individual growers owning and Citrus Australia Limited (CAL) will: - Manage the industry’s research
directing their national body. and development activities with
• Be owned by growers Horticulture Australia Limited
“Citrus growers will directly join CAL
(HAL)
by annual voluntary membership • Consist of voluntary membership
based on their production area or based on production area - Manage industry’s marketing
tonnes of production,” he said. (hectares) or volume (tonnes) activities with HAL
John Davidson proudly displaying the oranges of the Riverina.
4 National Supplier News
- Manage industry’s responsibilities
in relation to Plant Health
Australia and bio-security
- Manage agri-political
and advocacy services
- Focus investment and resources
to areas to create value
- Improve efficiency in service
delivery
- Manage whole of supply chain
- Focus on national, state and
regional issues across all
citrus varieties
- Provide communication
to members and industry on
topical and seasonal issues
and to see a strong, prosperous Under its premium Chilled Juice
The change is expected to more and sustainable Australian Brands, Daily Juice and Berri
effectively and efficiently meet the industry emerge.” Australian Fresh, National Foods
needs of today’s modern export has developed a range of fortified
oriented citrus growers’ industry. juices targeting the specific needs
NFL supports annual citrus
industry conference of each brands’ consumers.
National Foods is a strong supporter
of the change to a more effective With the new range from Berri
In keeping with its ongoing support
organisational structure, which it Australian Fresh launched in January
for the industry National Foods will
believes will produce significant and as Daily Juice launches its new
once again be a major sponsor the
cost benefits for growers. range this month, we look forward to
Citrus Industry Conference in 2008.
some increased consumer interest in
National Foods CEO Ashley Waugh the category and ultimately a return
This year National Foods has
said: “The new focus has the to strong volume growth.
leveraged the inherent health
potential to offer long term benefits
credentials of fruit juice to reignite These new varieties will be on display
to the citrus industry.
growth in the Chilled Juice category at the conference with tastings and
“We look forward to working with by tapping into a growing consumer information on market acceptance
the industry to realise these benefits trend of Functional Health. since their launch.
Spring 08 5
McColls re-shapes
SA milk pick up
Australia’s largest milk collection contractor, McColls,
has won the contract to collect milk in South Australia.
The new contract, which commenced is monitored and the system tracks sees South Australia as an important
on April 1 this year, will see the each truck’s location and speed at opportunity to create synergies
tradition of joint pick-ups for any given time. across their business. They already
National Foods and Dairy Farmers have a depot in Adelaide for general
The satellite-based system also
suppliers continue. freight and truck maintenance. With
records how much milk each
Suppliers will remember the joint farm produces each day and 117 dedicated milk tankers, South
pick up arrangement was an automatically downloads the milk Australia is a vital link in a national
important innovation when it was volume estimates and other data network which has the range and
introduced more than 20 years ago. as the truck enters the farm. This flexibility to divert milk across the
It put a stop to pick-up trucks from comprehensive information is vital for country ‘with a single phone call’.
different companies going down the truck and driver safety and for fleet In order to maintain local continuity
same farm roads and resulted in management as it enables McColls
in South Australia, several of the
major cost savings. to calculate loads and map the most
current contractors have been hired
efficient pick up routes.
The new contractors will increase by McColls to continue milk collection
efficiency gains in milk collection The McColls milk tankers also have under the new arrangements.
through the introduction of B-Double in-line flow meters that take one
A new transport manager has
tankers, which will replace the single 90ml drip sample as the milk is
been appointed at Murray Bridge;
tankers used previously. The B- being pumped between the vat and
Doubles have a capacity of 40,000 the tanker. This produces an even maintenance will be done locally
litres; almost double that of the single sample from the milk and eliminates and a number of the new prime
tankers. This means there will now be manual handling of samples. As milk movers the company buys each
even fewer trips down the same road is collected, updated information is year will be purchased in the state.
to collect milk. This in turn will save sent directly to head office via the McColls farm milk collection
on fuel and reduce wear and tear on GPRS. A print out of the previous head office is in Tongala in northern
road pavements. day’s test data is made and left Victoria and, while the company
at each farm.
All McColls tankers are equipped has grown to span the continent,
with state-of-the-art Global McColls has national haulage it retains its country roots with more
Positioning Radio System (GPRS) activities in freight, chemical, bulk than 90% of its staff coming from
technology. Every truck movement wine and milk and the company rural backgrounds.
6 National Supplier News
Mid-Coast dairy group
drives local productivity
The Mid-Coast Dairy Advancement Group (DAG)
is one of the larger dairy productivity groups dotted across
the dairying regions of New South Wales.
The purpose of a Dairy Advancement
Group (DAG) is to support the
development of dairy farming
through learning and improvement
projects designed for groups and
individual farms.
The midcoast DAG is a member
of the state’s dairy development
organisation, (DIDCO), which
distributes seed funding from levy
monies and government funding,
which is collected by Dairy Australia,
the industry’s peak services body.
In addition to this seed funding,
which helps to support a full-time
DAG field officer, the group sources
local funds for its own projects and
works as an intermediary and a
catalyst for local programs.
According to DAG President,
Mr Col Cowan, DAG applies for
money from various government
and non-government sources which
make funds available and distributes
these funds to industry projects and
individual farmers.
with expertise in critical areas of when you’re working away on
He said: “Not surprisingly, the farm management. It also organises your own.
most active project area in recent educational trips, from three days
“As well as obvious education
times has been in water and the to as long as a week, to other
environment. In the past four years, benefits, study tours are an important
dairying states.
the group has received $800,000 outlet for farmers to get together
from catchment management Most recently, a group visited socially, with many trips sponsored by
authorities, water authorities and Tamworth to look at irrigation National Foods and Dairy Farmers.”
Landcare for local projects”. systems. While in the district they
Representation on DAG is evenly
visited one dairy farm which had
Col says: “Some of these funds have distributed, with about 50%
installed its own bottling plant and
gone to running workshops and being farmers and the other half
was selling milk locally.
some into the installation of water representatives from industry such
saving equipment such as troughs “It’s a very good motivational tool to as processors, DPI and agronomists.
for cattle and effluent systems to get off your own farm and see what
The group meets every two months
manage dairy waste on farm, and others are doing,” says Col.
to plan projects and assess funding
prevent spillage into waterways”.
“You need to get away from your applications to keep productivity
DAG arranges study tours for its own problems. It breaks your improvements moving forward
members and hosts guest speakers mindset, which can get a bit negative across the region.
Spring 08 7
Lateral thinking cuts
Salisbury water usage by half
Replacing water lines with spray jets has reduced water usage
by up to 50% at NFL’s Salisbury milk plant.
The trigger for change came when the plant underwent The change to spray jets has seen water consumption
an upgrade last year which actually resulted in increased drop from 1500 litres per hour (or the equivalent of
water consumption. 24 households per day) to just 70 litres per hour.
Water is a precious commodity, and this outcome concerned The team’s modifications have also improved machine
the Salisbury team. So they decided to do something about it. efficiency to more than 97%.
The team used lateral thinking and their technical The Salisbury team is working on further water savings
knowledge to re-work the entire chain and packaging lifter at the plant and advising other NFL sites, underlining
system. A different spray system was then fitted onto the their commitment to ongoing operational improvement
packaging machines. and resource conservation.
New works make a safe crossing on King Island
A new $400,000 crossing on National Foods King Island dairy farm
has ensured the safety of cows and staff in their daily movement between
pasture and dairy.
The 100 metre crossing at Kyeema Engineering firm SKM was company, Hazell Bros undertook
rises to a height of six to eight metres engaged to design a new clay core construction of the crossing,
and has been used by the herd twice structure with overflow piping and which was completed between
a day for many years. But with an a spillway for flooding. Tasmanian February and April this year.
increase in herd numbers to around
900 in recent years, the pressure on The new and improved crossing at Kyeema Dairy on King Island.
the crossing had grown enormously.
“The crossing was not built to
an acceptable standard when it
was first constructed many years
ago,” said NFL project manager
Allan Stevenson.
“It was time to rectify the situation
and provide a secure route to the
paddock for all concerned.”
Because the crossing retains water
it is classified by the Tasmanian
Government as a dam and therefore
any changes had to comply with the
state’s dam construction standards.
8 National Supplier News
Introducing Gabrielle Liston
Operations Manager – National Foods Cobden
In accepting her new role as Operations Manager at the National Foods
Cobden plant nearly seven months ago, Gabrielle Liston has returned
to a region of Australia which she knows and loves dearly.
Raised on a cereal and sheep farm Safety and Environmental life of the product without destroying
in Lake Bolac, in the Western District Manager and more recently the great taste. It also removes the
of Victoria, Gabrielle was educated Production Manager. requirement for refrigeration of
locally before furthering her studies any unopened product.
Gabrielle then progressed to Smiths
at Ballarat University. She majored in Snack Foods in Regency Park, The plant blow moulds its bottle on
Chemistry and Biotechnology, later South Australia before being enticed site in a facility which runs 24 hours
completing her Honours in Applied by National Foods to take up the a day, seven days a week. It currently
Science in Brewing. role of Operations Manager. This produces a 500ml bottle for domestic
At the completion of her studies move brings Gabrielle back home sales and a 300ml bottle for the
Gabrielle took up a role as the Quality to Cobden where her parents and Asian market.
siblings still live.
Systems Officer with Bonlac Foods With her science background
at their Cororooke plant near Colac The Cobden plant is lovingly Gabrielle understands all too well,
in Victoria, before deciding to return referred to as the “Home of Edge”, the importance of maintaining a
to study. This time to be a secondary and employs 28 permanent and sterile environment.
school science teacher. 11 casual staff. It is one of only
“The filling room is as clean as a
two UHT plants in Australia with
But it wasn’t to be, she was hospital theatre room,” she says.
the capability to manufacture in
enticed back into the world of plastic bottles. “My colleagues and I dress like
food production. She spent the hospital surgeons to guarantee the
next 11 years at Dairy Farmers The plant processes approximately
sterility of the facility.”
(originally Dairy Vale) at three of their 12 million litres of UHT (Ultra Heat
production sites in South Australia Treated) flavoured milk annually for Gabrielle says she is enjoying living
which were responsible for the the Big M, Big M Edge and Masters in Warrnambool and returning to the
Edge brands. quieter surrounds of country living.
manufacture of their bulk cheddar,
yoghurt and fresh milk. While she UHT involves a process which heats We welcome her experience,
was at Dairy Farmers, Gabrielle’s the milk to 132 degrees to kill all the enthusiasm and friendly nature
roles included Quality Manager, bacteria, which increases the shelf to National Foods.
L-R Arno Van der Schans (Production Supervisor) and
John Gibbins (Team Leader) on the Edge production line. Gabrielle Liston – Operations Manger Cobden.
Spring 08 9
Congratulations to King Island
Plant of the Year 2007
The winner of the National Foods Plant of the Year Award for 2007
is our King Island Cheese plant in Tasmania.
All our manufacturing sites Service, $2,500 to the King Island • Riverland Juice plant for
are assessed annually in the Hospital and $2,500 to the Make-a- achievements in Product Quality
areas of safety performance, Wish Foundation.
• Cobden UHT milk plant
environmental management,
There were a number of other for achievements in
water usage, product quality,
excellent performances by some Financial Performance
and financial performance.
of our other plants, with category
• Bentley milk & juice plant
This highly coveted award is awards going to our:
for achievements in
presented to the plant which is
• Hobart milk plant and sales office Financial Performance
deemed to have been the best
for achievements in Safety
across all these areas during the • Crestmead for achievements
previous calendar year. • Burnie Cheese plant in Environmental Management.
for achievements in
The dedicated staff at King Island Our congratulations go to the
Financial Performance
received a magnificent trophy to be fantastic team at King Island on
and also the second award in
held at the plant for 12 months – plus this outstanding achievement
Environmental Management.
a cheque for $10,000 to be donated and to all our colleagues at our
to local charities of their choice; • Murray Bridge Cheese plant for other sites on winning the
$5,000 to the Royal Flying Doctor achievements in Product Quality category awards.
National Foods King Island staff present the big cheques to the Royal Flying Doctors Tasmania,
Make a Wish Foundation and the King Island Hospital.
10 National Supplier News
No relief from water woes
in the Murray-Darling Basin
Another year of well below median rainfall and generally pessimistic
forecasts for the Murray-Darling system, means fruit growers and irrigators
could face zero water allocations across most of the system.
In this relentlessly tough environment,
and with no relief in sight, National
Foods will continue to work closely
with producers in helping manage
their operations.
The Murray-Darling Basin
Commission (MDBC) reported in July
that the Murray system inflows in
autumn approached the record lows
seen in 2007. June inflows were the
lowest on record.
The likelihood of upper Murray
inflows reaching above average
for the remainder of winter and
spring is very low, the report said.
Headwater storage levels are slightly
higher than the record low levels
of this time last year (due to higher
levels of carryover) but are still well
below average.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s recent
assessment gives little cause for
optimism. Its seasonal climate
outlook in July shows a shift in the
odds towards drier than average
conditions across the Murray-Darling
Basin from July to September,
including the high yielding
catchments of the upper Murray
and its tributaries.
Critical water for human needs
(including stock and domestic) for chief executive officer for the new The new authority will lead the
2008-09 is reasonably assured for national body, the Murray-Darling development of a new basin plan,
those who draw their water from the Basin Authority, which replaces the including a sustainable cap on
main stem of the Murray. Murray-Darling Basin Commission. surface and groundwater extractions
in the basin.
The newly appointed CEO is Mr
CEO appointed to
Robert Freeman, currently the chief The basin plan is a key part of the
new water authority
executive of the South Australian $12.9 billion Water for the Future
In an effort to manage the Murray- Department of Water, Land and plan that has four priorities: tackling
Darling system for the future, the Biodiversity Conservation and deputy climate change, securing water
Federal Government recently president of the Murray-Darling supplies, supporting healthy rivers,
announced the appointment of a Basin Commission. and using water wisely.
Spring 08 11
When cheese matters
explore our new website
National Foods is taking an ‘educational’ approach to its cheese business
with the launch of an informative website and partnership with Australia’s
number one lifestyle magazine Better Homes & Gardens.
The aim of the new approach is to provide useful
educational information that will encourage consumers
to try more of Australia’s wonderful cheeses.
Stephanie Anderton, General Manager Marketing,
Cheese & Gourmet Foods says a key component of
NFL’s educational approach has been to form a strategic
partnership with a tried and trusted voice in the market.
“Each month, Better Homes & Gardens will run an
advertorial educating its readers about different aspects
of cheese,” said Stephanie.
“We believe that if we can get people thinking more about
cheese and develop a greater appreciation of cheese,
they will buy more cheese more often.”
www.cheesematters.com.au
The cheesematters website is designed to be informative
and interactive, and contains tips on how to choose, store
and serve cheese, as well as delicious cheese recipes
and information on which cheeses go with which wines.
There’s even tips on cheese serving etiquette.
Australian women embrace the “14 day elivaé challenge”
National Foods has spent more than $1.5 million promoting the “14 day
elivaé challenge” which encourages people to try elivaé for 14 days
straight to reduce the symptoms of bloating – or get their money back.
Research shows that more than half of all women aged 25-47
suffer from bloating.
Yoplait elivaé is the first Australian product to directly target bloating
and give these women a measurable benefit.
National Foods has saturated the market with television and radio
advertising, on pack promotion, point of sale, a website, in store
demonstration and sampling at gyms.
The money back guarantee is made through an online claim form.
12 National Supplier News
PURA search for
budding new stars
The PURA Milk brand team has run another successful PURA Power Kick
competition in 2008 as part of their on-going sponsorship of the Newcastle
Knights Rugby League Club and the Geelong AFL Football Club.
In Newcastle, junior rugby league
players aged 8-12 years participated Congratulations to:
in the PURA Power Kick, to earn the Thomas Rinkin, 11, from the East Maitland Rugby League Club
title of the Biggest Kick on the Coast. and Matt Cooper, 9, from the Dudley Redheads Rugby League Club.
Hundreds of keen juniors Both Thomas and Matt each received a cheque for $500 with the
participated in the preliminary kick- compliments of PURA Milk, plus a second cheque for $500 for their
offs. The top six from each of the two Rugby League Clubs.
age groups competed in the PURA In Geelong, approximately 28 junior Clubs from the Geelong Football
Power Kick Final on August 4. This League participated in the 2008 PURA Power Kick. Each Club ran a
was held infront of 16,000 Newcastle longest kick competition for players aged 16 and below with the winner
Knights fans prior to their match from each Club attending a BBQ and Semi Final kick-off at Skilled Stadium
against the Parramatta Eels at Energy in Geelong in early June.
Australia Stadium in Newcastle.
Geelong AFL stars Shannon Byrnes and Josh Hunt attended the Semi Final
and provided these budding junior footballers with handy kicking tips.
The top 10 kicks from the Semi Final were invited to showcase their skills
at the PURA Power Kick Final, in front of 28,000 Geelong fans, prior to the
Geelong v Port Adelaide match on Sunday June 15.
The winner of the PURA Power Kick was Patrick O’Neill from St. Albans
Football Club in Geelong with a massive kick of 50.6 metres.
Patrick not only won himself $500 for his mighty kick, but also a further
Winner – Matt Cooper with the other $2,000 for the St. Albans Football Club.
U/10 Newcastle finalists.
Winner – Patrick O’Neil. The 2008 PURA Powerkick Semi Finalists at Skilled Stadium in Geelong.
Spring 08 13
About Kirin
Kirin Brewery Company, now known as Kirin Holdings, established in 1907,
was among one of Japan’s earliest beer brewers, and over the course
of the past 100 years has remained one of the most trusted and
influential consumer brands in Japan.
Pharmaceuticals Dave Donaldson
National Foods
A key platform of the Kirin business Group Executive
is pharmaceuticals. This was Sales, Convenience
established in 1982, and in 2007 & Food Service
accounted for around 10% of the inspects the Kirin
Group operating income. portfolio display in
Tokyo, Japan.
This business evolved from
biotechnology capabilities gained
from beer brewing, and it now National Foods
Based in Tokyo, Japan, Kirin has
markets a large range of cutting The transfer of ownership of National
become a leading company in Asia
edge pharmaceutical products. Foods Ltd. into the Kirin family was
and Oceania with key businesses in
completed in December 2007.
alcoholic beverages, non alcoholic
Brewery The healthy nature of the products
beverages, pharmaceuticals and
Kirin has steadily grown its business produced by National Foods,
more recently in health and
platform to become one of the along with its very strong business
functional foods.
leading beer businesses through- foundation which exists in Australia,
Its long standing strength in beer New Zealand, Malaysia and
out Asia and Oceania, working both
underpins a comprehensive range Indonesia, offers clear and obvious
independently and with key partners
of alcohol beverages that include synergies with the future growth
such as: Dalian Daxue Brewery
many of the world’s leading wine, strategy for Kirin in the Asia and
and Hangzhou Qlandaohu Brewery
spirit and liqueur brands. Oceania region.
in China, Lion Nathan in Australia
(XXXX, Tooheys, and Boags, along Kirin’s goal is to expand its business
Beverages with numerous high profile Australian in Asia and Oceania through an
Kirin’s ownership of soft drink wine brands) and San Miguel integrated beverage strategy, and
business Kirin Beverage Company Company in the Philippines. greater collaboration between
provides a variety of non alcoholic National Foods and Kirin Beverage
product lines. The core product Company in East Asia.
focus is on beverages such as:
National Foods will play an important
iced tea, ready to drink coffee in
role in the growth of Kirin’s health
a can, carbonated drinks, mineral
and functional foods business
water and juice drinks.
throughout Asia and Oceania,
over the coming years.
Dairy
National Foods will also have the
Dairy production and manufacturing
ability to tap into Kirin’s outstanding
of chilled products is not unfamiliar
research and technology program.
territory to Kirin.
It will be able to access Kirins
Kirin owns the Koiwai Dairy Co. manufacturing excellence and vast
which produces a range of fresh new product development program,
milk and dairy products including: to explore opportunities for new
yoghurt, butter and cheese. These products for Australian consumers,
products are distributed daily into which will drive new category
the domestic market in Japan. growth for the business.
14 National Supplier News
Small donations
make a big difference
National Foods employees donate thousands
to local charities.
For a small donation of just $2 per $9,473.26
week National Foods employees to Cancer Council WA
have made a very big difference to
their local communities. The National Foods Bentley site in
WA donated an incredible $9,473.26
In 2007 nearly $45,000 was raised by to the Cancer Council of WA.
our staff and National Foods through
a salary sacrifice programme called This was the largest single site
eCAP and donated to numerous donation from eCAP in 2007 and
charities across the country. will be used to support cancer
prevention programs, cancer
eCAP (Employee Community support services and fund essential
Assistance Program) is a voluntary medical research.
Members of King Island Operations
programme. National Foods staff
team proudly deliver the eCAP cheque Further donations were also made
donate up to $2.00 per week from
to Sarina Laidler from the King Island by National Foods staff to the
their pre tax salary to local charities Volunteer Ambulance Service.
and National Foods matches staff following charities:
donations $ for $. Canteen:
Resuscitation units, a new scoop
$207.84
Funds raised are used to make a stretcher, automatic defibrillators
difference in the many communities, and first aid kits are now located at Hanover Welfare Services:
large and small, in which National numerous sites across the Island $1,247.24
Foods employees live and work. meaning people in isolated parts of Make-a-Wish Foundation:
King Island can receive life saving $5,507.42
$3,984.66 medical treatment while waiting for
to King Island Ambulance the ambulance. Sacred Heart Mission:
$6,200.58
The National Foods team at King
$5,025.04 Starlight Foundation:
Island donated $3,984.66 to
purchase much needed emergency
to Brisbane Kids Helpline $3,095.70
equipment for the King Island branch Staff from a number of our sites Westmead Children’s Hospital:
of the Tasmanian Ambulance Service. across the country raised $5,025.04 $2,841.12
for the Kids Helpline, a national
telephone counselling service for
kids aged 5-25 years who have been
physically, emotionally or sexually
abused, who have family, friendship
or school issues – or who are even
contemplating suicide.
Sadly the Kids Helpline receives
over 288,000 calls and 19,000 online
contacts for assistance every year,
and is always in need of donations
Kelvin McAlpine Sponsorship and to fund the team of highly skilled Bentley Operations Manager Brendan
Communications Manager presents a and dedicated counsellors who help Hurst presents the eCAP cheque to Deena
cheque to Tracy Adams CEO BoysTown. these children every day. Campisi from the WA Cancer Council.
Spring 08 15
National Foods corporate office
moves to the Docklands
In 2006 we conducted an extensive survey of our staff, asking them
to identify what was important to them when considering a new location
for our corporate office.
Melbourne’s new Docklands precinct came through as Currently the National Foods corporate office and
a clear favourite, largely due to its close proximity to the business services staff are spread over five locations
CBD and easy access to public transport. in Queens Road and Mulgrave.
As well as being ideally located, National Foods’ new As requested by our employees, the building will have an
headquarters will be more practical and consolidate all open-plan internal design, outdoor areas, and be in close
head office employees and functions into one purpose proximity to public transport, cafes and other amenities.
built location. National Foods has the naming rights to the building.
A cement pouring ceremony at the new site in the
Docklands, along with the traditional coin tossing
ceremony, was held in April 2007, and attended by:
former Premier of Victoria Steve Bracks, Property
Developer Lorenzo Grollo and members of the
National Foods Group Executive.
The official address of the new building is 737 Bourke
Street, and is due for completion in late 2008.
Details about the move date, and new contact details will
be provided to all suppliers as soon as they are confirmed.
Lorenz Grollo, Manny Erana, Ashley Waugh and Former Premier
Steve Bracks at the official launch and cement pour in 2007.
Editor Liz Hoyle, Hoyle Communications
We welcome contributions and story suggestions from suppliers
Please email to rachelle.taylor@natfoods.com.au
National Supplier News A newsletter for dairy farmer, fruit grower and soy bean grower
suppliers to National Foods.
National Foods Limited Pura House 5 Queens Road Melbourne Vic 3004
Telephone 03 9234 4000 Facsimile 03 9234 4080
16 National Supplier News