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Fonterra + Linde Material Handling: A Legendairy Partnership
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When you think about your favourite foods, chances are Fonterra has played a part in bringing them to life. This dairy co-operative, owned by New Zealand farming families, is the force behind well-loved brands like Mainland, Western Star, Perfect Italiano, Bega, and NZMP. With a presence in over 140 countries, Fonterra ships a staggering 300,000 tonnes of product during peak months — that’s one shipping container filled every three minutes!
Behind the scenes, Linde Material Handling has been there, helping Fonterra move their products as efficiently as possible. Since 2009, Linde has met every challenge Fonterra has presented with a perfectly suited solution, and as a result, the partnership has blossomed into a truly collaborative relationship deeply focused on safety, innovation and sustainability.
From the start, Linde proved to be the perfect fit for Fonterra. Many of the co-operative’s dairy organisations were already using Linde forklifts — known for their reliability and suitability for the industry. And so, what started as equipment supply quickly evolved beyond that into something more.
Allan Spackman, Technical Solutions Manager at Linde Material Handling Australia, explained:
“Whenever Fonterra looks to innovate, especially in the material handling equipment sphere, they often turn to us.”
This shared commitment to innovation has seen Fonterra adopt Linde’s cutting-edge solutions, including lithium-ion (Li-ION) forklifts, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and the Linde:Connect Charger system.
One standout example of the partnership’s success is the installation of AGVs at Fonterra’s Darfield site, home to the world’s largest powdered milk dryer. When Fonterra added a cream cheese factory to the site in 2018, they needed an automated solution to transport products efficiently while maintaining strict hygiene standards.
Linde’s AGVs, equipped with SLAM navigation (Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping), were the perfect fit. These automated forklifts eliminated the need for workers to repeatedly cross hygiene zones, saving time and streamlining the production process.
Matt Smith, Plant Manager at Darfield Cream Cheese, said:“The AGVs are great from a productivity and safety point of view. They’ve saved us countless hours, and I know our products are being handled safely every day.”
Since their installation, the AGVs have logged over 20,000 hours of operation, cementing their role as a vital part of Fonterra’s operations.
Fonterra’s sustainability goals include reducing emissions by 50.4% by 2030. Transitioning their forklift fleet to electric has been a major step forward, and the trial of Linde’s innovative Linde:Connect Charger at the Clandeboye site is further advancing these efforts.
Originally, power limitations at the site proved challenging for Fonterra’s operations. Bruce Hansen, National Fleet Manager at Fonterra explains,
“Many distribution centres were originally built for minimal power use, making electric charging station installations challenging. Linde:Connect Charger helps us sidestep significant infrastructure upgrade costs.”
This intelligent charging system optimises energy usage by prioritising which forklifts need charging first, helping Fonterra avoid having to make costly electrical infrastructure upgrades while ensuring seamless operations. Bruce further commented,
“What we’ve seen so far is really positive, and it’s likely we’ll install more systems across our sites. It’s a perfect fit for our application.”
Across its 27 distribution centres, Fonterra owns and operates a fleet of over 600 machines, 60% of which are now electric. The co-op’s long-standing relationship with Linde has been key to achieving this level of efficiency and sustainability.
Bruce summed up the partnership perfectly:
“We’ve tried other brands, but Linde consistently proves to be the best. Their reliability, performance, the ergonomics and their focus on safety are unmatched. It’s a no-brainer for us.”
Looking ahead, Fonterra and Linde are committed to exploring new technologies together, from advanced automation to safety innovations. As Richard Tyson, General Manager of NZ Distribution Centres, concluded:
“Linde has been awesome for us. They really partner with us; they evolve with us and it’s a relationship we absolutely see continuing on into the future.”
Fonterra and Linde’s partnership is a testament to what’s possible when two organisations with shared values come together. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability, they’re not just moving products — they’re driving the future of the dairy industry forward.
If you’d like to know how we can help you improve the efficiency and productivity of your business, as well as help you work towards your sustainability goals, contact us.
You can also learn how other businesses are partnering with Linde, as well as keep up to date with the latest in material handling safety and innovation by visiting our Content Hub.
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