A $20 million carrot-juice business has built its new factory at Washdyke and is set to triple production of the vegetable in New Zealand.
Juice Products New Zealand (JPNZ) directors Damian Honiss and Richard Iversen bought Timaru Concentrators four years ago and since then have expanded their juice market through another of their companies, RD2 International.
“We were dealing with Timaru Concentrators, marketing their product so when it went on the market we decided to buy it.”
Honiss said since then they had been very happy with the growth and decided the investment in a new factory was warranted.
“We were well supported by local farmers and growers in South Canterbury and it’s a very good product.”
JPNZ’s new Washdyke factory will be able to produce 10 times the amount of juice of the existing factory at Grey Road.
“90% of our juice goes to Japan but we are looking at developing other Asian markets.” Honiss said at full production, 120,000 metric tonnes of carrots would be processed.
At present NZ produces around 40,000 tonnes for domestic and overseas consumption.
Honiss said the factory would operate 24 hours for eight months employing about 50 staff and in the off-season would possibly look at processing blackcurrants.
JPNZ was capable of producing both fresh and frozen production as well as concentrate. Yesterday, the factory was officially opened although it is still to be commissioned.
For further information contact:
Richard Iversen
RD2 International Ltd
richard@rd2-international.com
Damian Honiss
RD2 International Ltd
damian@rd2-international.com
www.rd2-international.com