18 November 2021
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has started building their new hub in Whangarei, after a pre-dawn ceremony to bless the site on Thursday, 18 November. The Whangarei hub is phase two of more than $50m of investment into the Northland economy, further signalling Ballance’s long-term intent in Northland.
The existing infrastructure at 223 Kioreroa Road will be upgraded to benefit the Northland regions expanding agricultural sector, including the fast-evolving horticulture industry.
Ballance will use the Kioreroa Road site for blending, bagging and distribution to customers around Whangarei and is the central distribution hub for Northland. The recently opened (June 21) Marsden Point site is a bulk storage and transitional facility for product coming directly from Northport, and a customer service centre.
“Kioreroa Road will be a place where vital nutrients for food production are blended using world leading technology, specifically designed for Northland farmers and growers in the wider region and our distribution network, said Shane Dufaur, Ballance’s General Manager: Operations and Supply Chain.
“We will be transitioning from our current long serving Port Road site to the new site in the 2022/23 season.
“Ballance is focused on the future of farming and growing in Northland, that is why we have invested in precision automated technology and digital infrastructure that will enhance product quality and reliability of supply,” said Shane Dufaur.
The co-operative’s support of the Northland community recently included the donation of the use of Kioreroa Road as a drive through centre to support the region’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Operations will continue at the Port Road site until Ballance commissions the new Kioreroa Road facility.
For further information:
Media – Aimee Driscoll 027 487 9656
Shareholders – 0800 267 266
