AUSTRALIA | To celebrate 30 years since Fonterra’s Cobden site first fired up its state-of-the-art milk dryer for production, the Cobden team shared stories from its first three decades of operation and a birthday cake.
The dryer is seven storeys tall and can process 1.5 million litres of milk each day—the equivalent of around 2.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools. As one of the giant milk dryers in Australia, it can process 12 tonnes of milk powder per hour and has been the cornerstone of Fonterra's operations in southwest Victoria.
Andrew Westlake served as Fonterra Cobden’s Powder Production Manager for five years before transitioning to Continuous Improvement Manager. He said the dryer required over 500 tonnes of stainless steel to construct.
“The dryer was officially opened on the 1st of July 1994 by Senator the Hon. Robert (Bob) Collins, the then Minister for Primary Industries and Energy. Since the dryer’s opening in 1994, it has operated at peak efficiency. We have a dedicated and experienced team of 12 who ensure the dryer is maintained in tip-top condition,” said Westlake.
“More than 40 percent of the product we produce at our leading site here in Cobden is derived from the dryer, including full, skim, and buttermilk powders. These powders are exported to markets worldwide, including Southeast Asia and China, and are also sold as ingredients to businesses across Australia.”
Westlake also emphasised the strategic importance of the dryer, which allowed milk to be transformed into powder and provided Fonterra optionality.
“The assets we have at Cobden, including the dryer, allow us to switch between products quickly to meet changing global market demands, ramp up production when milk volumes increase, and deliver the best product mix to maximise returns.”
Regular maintenance, combined with the systems, processes, and skilled personnel, has ensured the dryer operates efficiently and has been critical to its longevity and performance.
This 30-year celebration marked a historic milestone for Fonterra’s Cobden site and highlighted the dedication and commitment to excellence and high-quality work from employees.
