Dairy product manufacturer to base UK operations in Telford
A New Zealand dairy product company has opened its UK base in Telford, as it looks to grow in the agricultural market.
MilktechNZ, which creates customised milking equipment, has invested £200,000 into its new facility at the Agri–EPI Centre in Newport, based at Harper Adams University. The firm currently boasts 42% of the New Zealand market but cannot produce the kit fast enough.
It will therefore produce parts of the equipment in Telford, as it is cheaper and it will ease production demand in New Zealand.
It says the equipment it manufactures supports good cow health, prevents over-milking, reduces vet bills and drug use and cuts down on the manpower needed for milking by half a person per day.
The firm has set its sights on gaining 15% of the UK market share in the next three years and sees great potential to sell its products to UK and European dairy farmers. It’s looking to take on more staff over the next three years, now that it has a permanent home in Newport.
MilkTechNZhas been supported by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Enterprise Telford business team and the Department for International Trade.
The Agri-EPI Centre was established as part of the government’s agri-tech strategy to develop, fund, and commercialise new agricultural technologies and develop relationships to bring the latest innovations to reality.
Brent Crothers, Sales Manager for MilkTechNZ, said: “The support from Telford & Wrekin Council and the DIT has been crucial.
“From helping with banking issues, to finding us a home for our business to work from, the support has been very gratefully received.
“Working from the Agri-Epi Centre means that we are working alongside like-minded businesses all with the goal of improving farm performance and productivity.”
Cllr Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhood services, regeneration and the high street, said: “Moves like this highlight why Telford is such a prime location – not only geographically but also because of the strong agri and agri-tech links we have in the area.
“We were pleased to support MilkTechNZ with this move and help them to source a new office base which we hope will be the perfect place for them to do business throughout the UK and across Europe”.
