Canterbury operations manager Richard Gray, and director Logistics Network, Robert Spurway, stand in front of the world's largest milk powder drier at Fonterra's Darfield site.

Dairy co-op giant Fonterra has increased its forklift fleet at its $500 million milk powder drier site in Darfield to cope with the increase in milk powder production and the increased export container load-out requirements.

Distribution centre manager Hayden McMillan tells Forkliftaction.com News that the 16-strong fleet comprises a mix of Linde models, including both internal combustion and electric.

The Darfield site recently commissioned its second drier, the world's largest milk powder drier, with the capacity to produce more than 700 T, the equivalent of 45 shipping containers, each day.

Fonterra's director - logistics network, Robert Spurway, says the demand for dairy nutrition around the world, especially for whole milk powder, is still strong. "Drier Two will ensure that Fonterra has the capacity to meet this demand and to process ongoing milk growth in Canterbury, the fastest-growing dairy region in New Zealand.

Fresh milk is collected from Fonterra's farmer shareholders, within a 65 km radius, delivered by tanker to Darfield, then processed into whole milk powder and packed into 25 kg bags. These bags are then packed onto pallets, loaded into containers and delivered to port via the Darfield Rail Link for export to more than 20 markets worldwide.