Heritage
Tatua's heritage dates back almost 100 years ago, to 1914, when a group of settlers got together to form a dairy company, and build a cheese factory, on the present site at Tatuanui, in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
From inception, through two world wars and a great depression, Tatua has maintained a strong sense of independence and a rich grounding in innovation throughout its history. Following is a brief timeline of Tatua's heritage focusing on some highlights and major events.
Formation of The Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company Limited with 10 farmer shareholders.
Within a year the co-operative had grown to 29 farmer shareholders.
Tatua shareholders first voted to remain independent following dairy company amalgamations to form the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company.
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Factory expanded to cater for increased milk supply from 88 farmer shareholders.
Electricity installed in the factory.
NZ Dairy Control Board created to market dairy products internationally.
Farmers started using motor-trucks to transport milk to the factory replacing the horse and cart method.
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More than 400 dairy co-operatives in New Zealand.
Introduction of compulsory milk grading at Tatua.
Government took over marketing of all butter and cheese and instituted annual guaranteed price announced at start of each season.
Tatua moved to two shifts a day to temporarily process extra milk from outside suppliers to provide cheese for England's increased demands.
Last cheese made at Tatua.
New boiler and three roller dryers installed to dry milk powder.
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Milk collection by tankers began.
Caseinate developed at Tatua by Dairy Research Institute and Tatua research & development department.
Casein factory built.
New spray dryer installed.
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Start of four years research and development to develop Dairy Whip Whipped Cream in a can.
Introduction of Ultra Heat Treatment processing allowed Tatua to develop UHT Liquid Cheese.
First commercial sales of Dairy Whip were made.
Consumer Products and Foodservice business launched.
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Variety of caseinates developed and produced for export customers.
Fully computerised factory and butter making plant built.
Lactoferrin development and manufacture began.
New dryer installed.
Whey Protein Concentrate plant installed.
Only 12 co-operative dairy companies remain in New Zealand.
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After decades of mergers and acquisitions there were 4 major dairy co-operatives remaining in New Zealand.
Deregulation of the New Zealand dairy industry where the two largest co-operatives merged with the New Zealand Dairy Board to form Fonterra. Tatua shareholders voted to remain an independent co-operative.
Flavour Ingredients business launched.
Sales office in Tokyo, Japan established.
Bionutrients business launched.
Anhydrous Milk Fat plant installed.
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Tatua remains the oldest dairy company in New Zealand that hasn't been part of a merger or acquisition.
Farmer shareholders total 111 and all farms located within 12kms of the factory.
Building of new foods plant and new hydrolysis plant begins. Project due for completion in 2012.