Fonterra Te Awamutu

Tackling constraints on time and space

This contract included construction of a new 4000 square meter milk powder dry store, a 22m high drying tower and a new office frontage at Fonterra Te Awamutu.

The challenge for the construction team was building the store and tower simultaneously within tight time and space constraints. Part of the dry store could not be constructed until the tower was completed.

Precast concrete walls for the tower were lifted and bolted into place, concrete floors poured progressively and the roof constructed on the ground to a finished state, then lifted and welded into position.

All work on the exterior had to be carried out by hoist or cherry-picker, and internal finishing to food grade standard could not commence until the roof went on.

Regular, effective communication with Fonterra staff, engineers, consultants and sub-contractors was a key to achieving a quality result.