New Zealand dairy product company MilktechNZ Ltd is tapping into the global agri market and continuing to grow after opening a new UK base in Telford.
The business, which specialises in customised milking equipment, has invested £200,000 into setting up its new facility at the Agri–EPI Centre in Newport and has been supported by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Enterprise Telford business team and the Department for International Trade.
MilktechNZ Ltd chose the UK because there is a great potential market amongst UK dairy farmers for the kit they manufacture.
Now the company is handily placed in the heart of the UK it has ambitions to sell products to the European market.
The customised milking equipment they produce supports good cow health, prevents over-milking, reduces vet bills and drug use and cuts down on the manpower needed for milking (by half a person per day).
MilkTechNZ is looking to take on more staff over the next three years now it has a permanent home in Telford and wants to gain 15% of the UK market share in the next three years.
Laying new foundations in the UK is also creating more jobs with the firm expected to take on at least another three staff to work in Telford.
MilkTechNZ currently boasts 42% of the NZ market but cannot produce the kit fast enough.
As a result, they are set to manufacture cups, which are part of the equipment, in Telford because they are cheaper to produce and it will ease the demand on production in New Zealand.
The Agri-EPI Centre, based at Harper Adams University, aims to bridge the gap between people creating innovative new agricultural technologies and those who benefit from them.
It was established as part of the UK government’s agri-tech strategy to develop, fund, and commercialise new agricultural technologies and develop relationships between researchers, start-ups, investors and farmers to bring the latest innovations to reality.
Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration and the High Street, said: “We are thrilled that MilkTechNZ has chosen the Agri-EPI Centre as its new base.
“Moves like this highlight why Telford is such a prime location – not only geographically but also because of the strong agri and agri-tech links we have in the area.
“We were pleased to support MilkTechNZ with this move and help them to source a new office base which we hope will be the perfect place for them to do business throughout the UK and across Europe.”
MilkTechNZ have recently won numerous awards in New Zealand including National Business Award – producer award, CEO of the Year and Innovator of the Year and this month the firm also released a new product at Dairy-Tech – an event for the new generation of dairy farmers.
Brent Crothers, Sales Manager for MilkTechNZ, said: “The support from Telford & Wrekin Council and the DIT has been crucial.
“From helping with banking issues, to finding us a home for our business to work from, the support has been very gratefully received.
“Working from the Agri-Epi Centre means that we are working alongside like-minded businesses all with the goal of improving farm performance and productivity.”
Find out more about support for businesses which is available from the Enterprise Telford team here.
Photo: MilktechNZ now has a UK base at the Agri-EPI Centre in Newport.
