The Challenge
- Global scale: Fonterra runs a local New Zealand operation with an international reach. Consisting of many different dairy co-operatives and farms, they have to consider many factors and deal with natural interruptions when trying to achieve production consistency. That’s why Fonterra searched for a reliable electrical partner that understood their local industry and had a global presence.
- Highest standards of hygiene, quality and freshness: Milk is a time-critical product that must meet the strictest requirements for safety and quality. Machinery downtime, delivery delays or improper care can cause some milk producers to dump their produce. The company needed a supplier that could craft a dedicated relationship based on mutual trust, and one prepared for breakdown management when it happens.
- Industrial efficiency and sustainability: At the same time, Fonterra needed a partner with the vision to use industrial efficiency as a means to be environmentally friendly and create sustainable business practices for their future.
The Solution
Efficiency and Reliability with EcoStruxure
Apps, Analytics & Services: Services & support — total solution with lifecycle management, SCADA software.
Connected Products: Drives, motor control, MV, LV distribution, lighting control, C-Bus, UPS, wiring accessories.
Complete solution for greater efficiency: Once a diverse range of small or medium dairy co-operatives, the New Zealand dairy industry has had a long-standing relationship with Schneider Electric. It was a natural step for us to provide a complete product/solution that could be employed on a local and global scale, streamlining electrical distribution and making it compatible across the board for greater production efficiency.
Expert guidance for greenfield project: In addition to day-to-day operations, Fonterra has expanded their infrastructure with our guidance, and built a much larger milk processing site called Darfield — their first greenfield site since all other major capital projects had been on existing sites with legacy systems.
The Results
- As a result, Darfield has been an outstanding success. Its milk blower, Darfield 2, can consume between 4.2 and 4.4 million litres a day, and produce over 30 tons of whole milk powder every hour!
- From humble beginnings with milk co-operatives to the biggest and most efficient dairy plant in the world, one great benefit Fonterra has discovered while working with Schneider Electric has been the enduring nature of their relationship. It’s a long-running history with New Zealand’s dairy industry and will surely endure as Fonterra continues to grow.
Key facts
- Fonterra is New Zealand’s largest dairy producer and the world’s largest dairy exporter.
- Darfield is the first greenfield site to be developed by Fonterra.
- It is the biggest, most efficient dairy site in the world.
- The Darfield 2 drier machine consumes between 4.2 and 4.4 million litres a day.
- Darfield 2 produces over 30 tons of whole milk powder per hour.