When the doors open on Sunday November 22nd to showcase Pokeno’s formula manufacturing plant you won’t be bombarded with Yashili branded memorabilia. Because despite being partly responsible for the area’s considerable economic growth since it opened in 2015, the company is driven largely by its community involvement.
The open day provides not only an opportunity for Yashili to share with the businesses and wider community what happens in the state-of-the-art production facility but also provides an opportunity for businesses in Pokeno to showcase what they have to offer and what a great place it is to live and do business in.
“Our open day is about sharing what we do but also about supporting our local businesses, Pokeno Bacon will be supplying the sausages, the local real estate company will bring and be in charge of the BBQ and money raised from that will go towards the local playcentres. It really will be a day that is all about our community,” explains Tina Yakas, Yashili New Zealand ’s Human Resources Manager.
The Yashili New Zealand plant, opened in 2015, boasts globally best-in-class facilities utilising the latest technology and the finest automatic control systems. Temperature and humidity are controlled around the clock, guaranteeing stable production and ensuring reliable product quality. The product produced at the plant is conceptualised, developed and manufactured according to very stringent standards, from the purchase of raw materials to the manufacture of the end product. Yashili products pass China and New Zealand regulatory agencies’ tests and meet the quality standards of both countries.
Our purpose is to develop specialised nutrition for infants and young children, that is packed full of essential vitamins, minerals, and oils. It has to be safe and kind to little tummies, says Tina.
Diversity is something that is also evident in the makeup of the staff at the plant with over 29 different nationalities represented, something that is also very representative of New Zealand’s strong immigrant culture. This means that the company culture is one very much of ‘family’ and everyone on board embraces and supports each other.
“Some of our people are new to the country and have often moved here without the support and family structure that many of us who have been born here often take for granted. Part of our role in the community is to be responsible for the overall well being of our staff and this means ensuring everyone is supported with whatever they need because they are part of our Yashili family” smiles Tina.
It’s not hard to see why Yashili is well known as being a trusted and world leader in the market and is thriving as a company. Having them as part of our community is something that we should welcome.
They are a driving force for good and will continue to find ways to assist our community to grow and prosper.
From next month, Yashili will be sponsoring a community news page within elocal. We encourage local community groups and not-for-profit organisations who have an event that they want to get the word out about to email us on editorial@elocal.co.nz, so we can include it on the page!