Miramichi company says it is focused on expanding product line, making investments in future

A4

BY KRIS MCDAVID
Times & Transcript Staff

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

4 Comment(s)

MIRAMICHI - If you look hard enough on the Miramichi, hidden amid the ongoing Atcon saga, the struggle to revive shuttered mills, and the general economic strife, one can uncover signs of economic life.

And after hosting its annual general meeting over the weekend, and proudly reporting over $82 million in sales in 2009 -- a 4.9 per cent jump over the previous year -- Northumberland Dairy Co-operative Limited is one such example.

From its Lawler Lane headquarters in Newcastle, the province's only New Brunswick-owned fluid dairy has remained a Miramichi success story since its humble beginnings 67 years ago.

From its gradual expansion in the 1950s and 60s, to surviving, and thriving, following a devastating fire which destroyed the vast majority of the dairy in 1975, and into its current position as a provincial dairy giant and stable employer of hundreds of workers, general manager Jack Christie said the co-operative is primed for much more success in the future.

"We were able to maintain our business, particularly on the dairy side, and we had some price increases," Christie said.

"Plus we had a better season last year for ice cream and novelties -- we sold a little more of those than we initially planned on."

And while recording a growth in sales for a second straight year is all well and good, Christie said he isn't one to glance in the rearview mirror, rather choosing to focus on what lies ahead.

He said Northumberland is poised to make substantial investments in 2010, continue modernizing its computer systems, and explore expanding its operations to include other products.

The dairy already produces milk, chocolate milk, organic milk, cream, sour cream, calcium-enriched milk, lactose-free milk, cheeses, butter, ice cream, eggnog, juices, and frozen foods.

Northumberland also owns and operates a Tim-BR Mart lumber and hardware outlet on its Lawler Lane property.

"Last year we made priority, in terms of staffing, to look at our products and look at alternatives and do some research as to what other products we could consider," Christie said.

"It's a competitive business and we have major competitors, so we have to make sure we bring our best game to work each day, otherwise somebody can move ahead of you very quickly."

Christie also said the company is continuing to promote the dairy's well-known slogan, "the only dairy that is pure New Brunswick" in a series of new multimedia marketing campaigns this spring.

Northumberland continues to be one of the larger and most stable employers on the Miramichi, providing well-paying jobs to about 150 staff in the city, and an additional 100 jobs around the province.

Christie said the company's successes can be attributed to its employees, and Northumberland puts a major focus on employee engagement and ensuring that all workers feel valued.

And while he said he's pleased that the company has been counted on as a job-provider, and is seen as a shining light during a gloomy economic landscape in the region, he admits the Miramichi is a much better place to be when it is thriving.

"Some of these companies and other companies who have been going through difficult times we'd like to make sure that they stay around -- that benefits us as well," he said.

"Many times, there have been services and other specialties that these companies can supply locally, without us having to go outside the region to acquire."

Meanwhile, the co-operative also opted to re-elect Napan resident John MacDiarmid as its board president, Stonehaven native Percy Scott as vice president, and Glenford Copp of Trout Brook as its secretary-treasurer.