Lactalis-Mainland Dairy in New Zealand strengthens South Island supply chain

Lactalis‑Mainland Dairy in New Zealand has officially opened its new Distribution Centre in Christchurch, marking a significant investment in its South Island supply chain capability. 

Following Lactalis’ recent expansion in New Zealand and a carefully managed transition, operations have successfully moved from the former site to the new facility, with customer deliveries continuing without disruption from day one. The consolidation brings fresh milk, chilled, frozen and ambient operations together in one modern site, supporting a more coordinated and resilient supply chain as integration progresses.

Designed to handle a complex mix of dairy products, the centre provides multi‑temperature storage and handling for fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient ranges, alongside capacity for UHT and powder movements. The site includes dedicated heavy transport access into separated cool room areas, access docks for franchisees, and loading capacity for up to 12 containers, enabling efficient movement across domestic and export flows.

Developed to meet the operational, safety and regulatory standards required of a large‑scale, evolving distribution network, planning for the site began in 2022 with a focus on balancing performance, reliability and cost effectiveness. The facility also includes indoor and outdoor staff amenities, office space and meeting areas, supporting both people and product as part of a modern logistics operation.

Facilities like the Lactalis New Zealand Christchurch DC play a critical role in delivering reliable customer service at scale. By reducing operational complexity and improving coordination across product categories, purpose‑built sites help enable more consistent delivery outcomes across the network.

Lactalis New Zealand CEO, Pascal Francisque said the Christchurch Distribution Centre reflected Lactalis’ long-term commitment to strengthening operations in New Zealand.

“This facility is an important step in strengthening how we operate across the South Island. Our immediate focus has been ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining reliable service for customers. As we continue to integrate the business, we are investing in the infrastructure that supports that.” 
- Pascal Francisque, CEO Lactalis NZ

New Zealand is an important market for Lactalis, and we have great confidence in the future of our business here and across our export markets,” Mr Francisque said.

“Bringing multiple product streams into one modern site allows us to simplify our operations and improve coordination across the supply chain. That translates into more consistent and reliable service for our customers,” he said.

As part of Lactalis New Zealand’s broader logistics network, the Christchurch Distribution Centre strengthens supply into the New Zealand and export markets and supports future distribution needs.