History

1907

It was decided that the Tatura Butter Factory and Farmers Produce Company Ltd would be established in Hogan Street, Tatura.

The first directors of the company were Mr H Lockwood (Chairman - pictured), Mr JW Wilson, Mr W Patterson, Mr G Collie, Mr T Hogan, Mr FE Williams and Mr P Brody and Mr T Clarke was appointed Secretary.

Authorized capital was 3000 pounds. Tenders were called for and accepted as follows: Buildings – Mr A Miles 790 15/9 pounds

• Machinery – Coulsell Bros. 829 18/4 pounds
• Refrigeration - Mr H Hunt 716 pounds

Mr JE Lockwood was appointed as manager of the factory and was to remain in the position for 39 years.

Until 1910 milk was separated at the factory, this was changed and the farm performed this role with the cream being brought into the factory.
 

1910

The factory generated electricity and supplied light to the town of Tatura.  Tatura became the first town in the Goulburn Valley to have electric light.  The rate was 4 pence per unit and continued until 1926 when it was transferred to the SEC for the sum of 3100 pounds.

The factory continues to grow with the now well-developed irrigation system in the area and increasing herd size.

1920

A horse and wagon are purchased for the collection of milk. Previously farmers brought cream cans into factory.

1922

The factory was extended at a cost of 11,000 pounds and the extension was opened by the Hon. J Allan MLA. Further extensions were made in 1944 and 1948 including the then detached office block.

(Factory pictured in the 1920’s) 

1931

Butter Producers Defence Fund set up to fight Margarine menace.

(By 1955 Margarine was flooding the market)

1950

The ‘Milk Project’ was agreed to and in anticipation of further expansion the land known as the “Police Paddock” was acquired by Crown Grant.

Nominal capital was increased to 100,000 pounds in 1951 with the allotment being 31,392 pounds and the total assets of the company being valued at 250,000 pounds.

A merchandise store was established to cater for the needs of the dairy farmers.
 

1951

Tatura Condensaries began in conjunction with Toppa Ice Cream and Life Guard Milk.  A roller drying plant was installed.
 

1952

Merchandise store opens to cater for rural supply needs.

1957

Directors were Mr AW Wilson (Chairman since 1946) Mr A Crawford, Mr RJ Wells, Mr HL Reilly, Mr GC Bidstrup and Mr EW Davy. The number of shareholders was 940.
 

1958

Tatura Butter Factory bought the balance of Tatura Condensary shares from Streets Ice Cream, who had previously purchased the other partners.  This was the beginning of a swing to producing milk products instead of the traditional pigs and cream.
 

1960

Mr Joe Ford took over the management of the company, a role he would hold for 20 years. Under his leadership the growth of Tatura Milk was nothing short of remarkable.
 

1962

Tatura Butter Factory and Farmers Produce Company Ltd and Tatura Condensaries became known as Tatura Milk Products Limited.  The milk intake was 6 million litres.
 

1960
  to
1980

Large expansion of capital equipment occurred including the installation of : 3 evaporators, 2 spray dryers, 2 roller dryers, 2 continuous butter makers, 3 boilers, new laboratory, new building projects and 15 tankers

1980

Tatura Cheese Industries Pty Ltd was established in conjunction with a joint venture to produce 2000 tonnes of cream cheese per annum for both the domestic and export markets.

Mr Neil Lowe took over management of the company.  Neil transferred from Carnation in 1959 as a Tester and Grader.  He completed a Diploma in Dairy Technology at Gilbert Chandler in 1966, a Business studies course at Melbourne University and was a Field Officer with the company until 1971 when he became Assistant Manager.
 

1986

Tatura Milk Industries Limited was formed and now owns and controls all the company’s operations.
 

1988

A Niro CDI 315 Spray Drying plant was commissioned.  This dryer greatly improved the company’s ability to produce a wide range of milk powder products.
 

1991

Technology exchange contract signed with Snow Brand.
 

1993

Wet mix blending plant and Niro MSD 500 spray drying plant commissioned.  This plant is capable of producing a range of specialised products including Infant Formulas.  At the same time Snow Brand built a $25 million canning plant adjacent to the factory for the packing of baby food products destined for South East Asia.
 

1996

Niro CDI 800 Spray Dryer and Niro Falling Film Evaporator capable of producing 5 tonnes of powder per hour and a 12 tonne per hour Sapac Modugas packing plant was commissioned.  A new laboratory and supplier test room, ingredients store, bulk powder packing facility, planning office and staff amenities were also included in the project valued at $20 million.
 

2001

Niro MSD2 800 Special Spray Drying plant commissioned. Fitted with a Mechanical Vapour Recompression Evaporator as well as a self-supporting liquid milk receival, which accommodates 2 separators that can process 60,000 litres per hour.
 

2002

Commencement of a Nutritionals Strategy to strengthen Tatura’s nutritional powders strategy. Tatura through a supply agreement originally with Tatua of New Zealand to construct a new Lactoferrin plant at the Tatura site for the manufacture of 15MT Lactoferrin per annum.

Tatura is now responsible for all marketing and manufacturing  arrangements for Lactoferrin.

2003

Construction of a state-of-the-art colostrum plant for processing high quality colostrum for pharmaceutical and nutritional powder customers.

2005

Construction of a milk protein concentrate( MPC) plant, in alliance with Ingredia of France, for the manufacture of MPC 85