Eight new jobs as plant triples output

Graeme Smith, of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, says planned expansion at the company's Aramoho feed plant follows a spectacular first season of production.

SealesWinslow's animal feed plant in Wanganui, which only opened last August, will triple production next season, which means more jobs at its Aramoho plant.

Chris Brown, national operations manager for the Morrinsville-based company, said the production increase meant eight more full and part-time jobs will be created on the back of an estimated $1 million upgrade at the Kelvin St factory in time for the 2014 season.

And Mr Brown said more investment in the plant would come next year.

"SealesWinslow Wanganui has had an extremely successful season after its commissioning in August last year," he said.

"Forward orders indicate sales next season will triple and will require the mill to operate three shifts compared to the one operating currently. That means about four more full-time and four seasonal workers will be required."

They will join the seven full-time and two part-time staff already on site.

SealesWinslow is a subsidiary of the farm nutrient co-operative, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and its investment in the Wanganui plant is part of a $10 million outlay on its sites here as well as in Ashburton and Morrinsville.

The Wanganui site produces pelletised stock feed, using maize, wheat and barley grains, soy flour, salt and molasses. The company tries to source as much of the raw product as it can from local growers.

The local upgrade will include new silos and boosting the plant's robotic bagging lines. Further investment in 2015 will upgrade on-site storage facilities and a new bulk load-out area.

Mr Brown said the investment demonstrated Ballance's on-going commitment to the region and its farmers.

The expansion will add two 50-tonne silos and a 100-tonne silo.

"The robotic bagging line has to be upgraded because we're putting in a direct feed from the raw material presses to the two new 50-tonne silos. It will also mean installing a new robotic pallet stacker," he said.

Mr Brown said 90 per cent of the projected orders for next season would go to customers in the Wanganui-Taranaki-Manawatu regions.

"A lot of that product used to be made in Auckland but will be locally made now," he said.

Graeme Smith, Ballance general manager animal nutrition, said stock feed played a vital role in farm profitability and animal health at key times of the year, particularly around calving and in summer when pasture growth slows right down, so continuity of supply was critical.

"It can be a challenge to deliver on orders fast enough during peak seasons, and we are really looking to up our game to make sure we have product for all of our customers where and when they need it," Mr Smith said.

"We need to make more, make it better, and make it faster, as well as make provisions for smarter storage and distribution solutions."

He said the latest investment would have a significant impact on SealesWinslow's ability to manufacture and deliver its feeds.