Innovative dairy technology company spreads its wings

Media release

29 May 2013

Innovative dairy technology company spreads its wings

Dairy technology company Waikato Milking Systems is building a new $12 million complex in the Waikato business park known as Northgate - a sign of the company’s continuing growth and optimism.

The two-building complex will bring together the company’s operating units on one site for the first time. The first stage of the development is underway now, and will house large-scale manufacturing facilities. The second stage will house a new headquarters and design, development and manufacturing facilities for the company’s high-technology products.

“We will get more efficiency in design, development, engineering and manufacturing by bringing our collective pool of skills together. We will be able to get products to the market even quicker, and having everything on one site will improve logistics for our international and domestic projects,” Managing Director John Anderson says.

Waikato Milking Systems is a leading designer, builder and exporter of dairy systems and technology for dairy farmers throughout New Zealand and around the world. It develops new technologies for dairy farmers that deliver advanced results but are simple to use. The company exports to more than 20 countries, including the United States, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, and is enjoying growth in developing markets including China and South America.

“The new complex at Northgate signals Waikato Milking Systems’ ongoing commitment to expanding our contribution to the dairy sector,” Mr Anderson says. Waikato Milking Systems is 100 per cent New Zealand owned and operated. It will be the anchor tenant at Northgate Business Park, 8km north of Hamilton, with a prime site fronting State Highway 1.

Stage 1 of the new complex (scheduled for completion November 2013) brings together the company’s three manufacturing divisions: Rotary Platforms, which designs and builds rotary milking platforms for dairy sheds; Centrus, which uses modern high-tech composite materials to produce world-leading high-strength and lightweight rotary platform designs; and Stainless Innovations, which custom makes stainless steel fabrications for the company’s various milking system designs.

Stage 2 of the building project (scheduled for completion November 2014) will include the new headquarters, with facilities to assist in developing new markets and further expanding the company. This is expected to bring benefits for the job market and for the regional and national economies, Mr Anderson says.

Waikato Milking Systems has a dealer network nationwide and employs more than 100 people in the Waikato. Hamilton based Noel Jessop Architecture, whose Waikato work includes vehicle dealers Winger and Ebbett Prestige (Audi and VW), has designed the new complex. Waikato firm Downey Construction is doing the site and building work. Waikato Milking Systems’ headquarters is currently on Maui St in Pukete Industrial Park, Hamilton.

ends

© Scoop Media