Synlait
Dairy
Established in 2000. China's Bright Dairy bought a 51% stake in 2010, which has since been diluted to 39%. Acquired fellow New Zealand dairy company Dairyworks in 2019.

Overall

Owned NZL
Rating C
About the Ratings
Synlait Ltd
NZL
Bright Food (Group) Co Ltd
owns 39% of Synlait Ltd
CHN
Large food conglomerate
State-owned Bright Food was established in 2006 amid a series of mergers and consolidations of Chinese state-owned assets, and today is China's largest food company. Shanghai's municipal government is the company's controlling stakeholder. Acquired 75% of Manassen Foods in Nov 2011.
A2 Milk Company Ltd
owns 20% of Synlait Ltd
NZL
Dairy company
Founded in New Zealand in 2000. Their products have been sold in Australia since 2007, China since 2013. Their infant formula products are made by Synlait, and a2 milk is made under licence by Fonterra.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Mar 2024)
Synlait Ltd
Praise
CDP Climate Change Score of A-
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A-.
Source: CDP (2022)
Certified B Corporation
Certified B Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meet higher legal accountability standards; and build business constituency for good business.
Criticism
Part owned by Bright Food, which has criticisms
This company is 39% owned by Bright Food, which has numerous criticisms and an overall Shop Ethical rating of 'F'. Bright Food is controlled by the Chinese government.
Information
Climate Leaders Coalition signatory
This company is a member of New Zealand-based Climate Leaders Coalition, signifying a commitment to taking voluntary action on climate change. This company is a signatory to the New Zealand-based Climate Leaders Coalition. Signatories have each committed to measuring, reporting and reducing their emissions, as well as working with their suppliers to reduce their emissions.
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Sustainable Business Council member
This company is a member of the New Zealand-based Sustainable Business Council, signifying a commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and build sustainability into their purchasing decisions. Members are required to introduce annual reporting practices, which outline their progress on environmental, social, governance and economic issues.
Sustainability claims
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website under the overarching headings of Environment, People and Enterprise.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.

Company Details

Type:
Public company
Employees:
700 (2018)
Subsidiaries:
Dairyworks Ltd
Dairy
Established in New Zealand in 2001. A family-owned company until it was acquired by fellow New Zealand dairy company Synlait in 2019.

Contact Details

Address:
Dunsandel, New Zealand
Website:
www.synlait.com

Products / Brands

Dairyworks
Dairyworks Cheese