Synlait opens Research and Development Centre in Palmerston

Synlait Milk Ltd
1028 Heslerton Road
RD13, Rakaia 7783
Private Bag 806
Ashburton 7740
New Zealand
P +64 3 373 3000
www.synlait.com Page 1 of 2
SYNLAIT MILK LIMITED NZX: SML
ANNOUNCEMENT ASX: SM1
2 MARCH 2017
SYNLAIT OPENS RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN PALMERSTON
NORTH
Synlait (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) Palmerston North was officially opened today by Massey
University’s Vice Chancellor and the Mayor of Palmerston North.
“We’re very excited to be opening Synlait Palmerston North today, which is home to our
new Research and Development Centre,” says John Penno, Managing Director and CEO.
“We have some major opportunities in front of us. With the strong team and partnerships
we’ve got in place to lead liquid innovation within our business, we won’t miss a beat,” he
says.
The Vice Chancellor of Massey University, Professor Jan Thomas, opened the facility and
highlighted the important new relationship between Synlait and the university.
“The establishment of Synlait’s new Research and Development Centre at Massey’s
Manawatū campus is an excellent example of industry and the university collaborating
closely to achieve real, tangible outcomes,” says Professor Thomas.
“Strategic partnerships like these are vital if we are to start and grow new industries, create
new jobs, and to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Massey University is New
Zealand’s premier provider of food research and education, and at the forefront of
pioneering such partnerships with the food industry.” she says.
The Mayor for Palmerston North and Accelerate 25 Lead Team member, Grant Smith,
thanked Synlait for choosing Food HQ and Palmerston North City for their investment.
“It’s fantastic to now see commercial companies such as Synlait organically using the value
of Food HQ and Massey University. Assisting companies with R+D and commercialising
their products is one of Food HQ’s key roles,” says Mr Smith.

Synlait Milk Ltd
1028 Heslerton Road
RD13, Rakaia 7783
Private Bag 806
Ashburton 7740
New Zealand
P +64 3 373 3000
www.synlait.com Page 2 of 2
“The City of Palmerston North is part of Accelerate 25, a regional economic development
programme for Central New Zealand, and Food HQ is one of the key enablers in this
programme to grow business,” he says.
The MP for Palmerston North, Iain Lees-Galloway had to be called away at the last minute,
however he left a message for those at the opening, welcoming Synlait to the region.
Synlait Palmerston North is a partnership with Massey University and FoodPilot, one of the
New Zealand Food Innovation Network’s four hubs.
The Palmerston North team will primarily concentrate on innovative dairy liquid product
development, as well as supporting processes and technology.
They will also play an important role in developing innovative export-orientated cream
opportunities that leverage Synlait’s upcoming $125 million advanced liquid dairy packaging
facility at Synlait Dunsandel.
“We are serious about growing and applying our research and development expertise to
maintain a competitive edge. While Palmerston North is focused on dairy liquids, we have
teams elsewhere working on nutritional powders, packaging and many other areas.”
Synlait plans to double their investment over the next two years, having committed around
$7 million to research and category development in the current financial year.
“We’ve established an R+D Centre in Palmerston North and will be investing around $2
million on additional equipment for the FoodPilot facility, which can be used by others,”
says Mr Penno.
Synlait currently has around 35 staff members working within the Research and
Development Team, but this will continue to grow as Synlait Palmerston North ramps-up its
operations.
ENDS
For more information about Synlait, visit www.synlait.com or contact:

Dan Walraven
Communications Manager, Synlait Milk
P: +64 27 836 7532
E: daniel.walraven@synlait.com