Westland Milk Products is issuing measures to keep staff well and the factory running in the face of rising demand from China and consistent domestic demand for its product range.

The company has stopped all non-critical travel for staff and is trialling working from home measures where possible following recent developments in the spread of COVID-19.

Westland Milk Products CEO Toni Brendish said the company was aware of its importance to the West Coast community at such an unprecedented and stressful time.

“As the largest employer on the West Coast, directly employing more than 500 people, we’re also well aware of how many more hundreds of people are contracted or employed in areas which rely on the factory and the 374 farms supplying milk to the plant every day,’’ Ms Brendish said.

“The economic benefits the dairy sector and the Westland Milk Products facilities in Hokitika bring to the region and beyond are significant so it’s important that we do everything we can to keep everyone safe, well and the factory able to meet with demand,’’ Ms Brendish said.

Westland staff are also being asked to restrict travel in their own time to avoid spread of the infection and to advise the company if they have while non-essential visits to the Hokitika site have also been halted.

The measures come at a time when demand for Westland’s products remains strong in the face of rising demand from China with minimal disruption to supply chains.

The company has introduced a range of measures which will be reviewed daily subject to Ministry of Health advice.

“I can also reassure our valued customers that our quality control measures in the factory ensure that our food safety protocols adhere to the highest global standards,’’ Ms Brendish said.

She said Westland Milk Products’ stringent product safety and quality control measures were continually reviewed to ensure they meet with global best practice and quality control standards.

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Local: +64 (03) 288 0213
Global: +61 467 792 0313