New dairy distribution centre opens in Brazil

COOL CHAIN: The new distribution centre will mean products reach consumers faster and fresher.

Dairy Partners Americas, a joint venture between Nestlé and New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra, has opened a new dairy distribution centre in the Brazilian city of Araras.

The facility, which represents an investment of CHF 33mn, will cover an area of 4,600m²and feature the very latest cooling technology.

Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke said the centre, situated some 150km from the capital Sao Paulo, was testament to the company’s commitment to the country.

“Over the last 10 years, we have invested three billion reais in Brazil by opening new facilities and extending existing ones, and by investing in technology, innovation and people,” he said in Araras.

Energy efficiency

The facility has been built on the same site as the Dairy Partners Americas Araras factory which makes a wide variety of chilled dairy products, including yoghurts, desserts and cream cheese.

The new facility features cooled tunnels that will connect production lines in the existing factory directly to the storage facility.

Combining the production and cooling site with the distribution facility will offer considerable energy savings - reducing the amount of diesel required for transport, for example, by approximately 150,000 litres, saving 400 tons of CO₂ per year.

Dairy Partners Americas, set up in 2003, is the largest dairy company in South America, purchasing and processing some two billion litres of milk each year in Brazil alone.

The company has eight factories in the country and provides employment for 2,600 people.