Fonterra appoints European dairy distributor
distributor for international dairy giant Fonterra.
Rolling out across Europe from 1 January 2007, the agreement covers 25 countries and includes Fonterra's entire range of added-value dairy proteins.
This covers Fonterra's complete range of dairy protein ingredients, including whey protein concentrates (WPC), casein & caseinates, milk protein concentrates (MPC) and protein blends.
The deal also covers Fonterra's range of specialist health and nutrition ingredients, including proprietary products. Fonterra will continue to supply and service its larger customers directly.
"We are delighted to have been chosen by Fonterra," said Neil Blackburn, Fiske's European brand director.
"As part of our on going strategic review, we identified dairy protein ingredients as a prime target for future growth."
Dairy proteins are increasingly hitting the mainstream. They can now be found on supermarket shelves, and are used extensively in infant formulae.
Whey for example has long been used for its functional properties, but it is also now increasingly being added because of nutritional properties. It is natural, has no e-numbers and can be used by food makers to reformulate their products to take out additives.
Fiske, which has a portfolio of products including modified and native starches, enzymes, acidulants, colours, preservatives and hydrocolloids, is confident that the agreement with Fonterra will consolidate the company's position as a leading European food ingredients distributor.
"We're very pleased to have successfully achieved this goal through a pan-European partnership with a world leader in dairy ingredients," said Blackburn.
"This is a positive development for customers wanting to access a wider range of high quality ingredients irrespective of where they are in Europe."
Similarly, New Zealand-based Fonterra, which is responsible for over a third of international dairy trade, believes that the agreement will improve access to the group's European customer base.
"One of the critical success factors for Fonterra was eliminating complexity and achieving scale efficiencies in the supply chain and Fiske impressed us with their commitment to achieving this goal," said Peter Landon-Lane, Fonterra Europe's general manager.
"With a comprehensive network of dedicated and local distribution facilities across Europe linked to Fonterra's import and distribution centre in Hamburg, Fiske will enable us to provide our customers with a faster and more efficient service as well as access to a wider range of high quality food ingredients and technical support - all through one single delivery point."
Fonterra was formed in October 2001 following the merger of the New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi Co-operative Dairies. The group is a co-operative owned by more than 12,000 dairy farmers.
The company has an annual turnover of NZ$11.8 billion, assets of NZ$11.1 billion and shareholders' equity of NZ$4.8 billion. Fonterra generates 20 per cent of New Zealand's export receipts.
