New Zealand dairy group Keytone Dairy Corp. has revealed former Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (WCB) corporate development general manager Bernard Kavanagh is its new chairman.

Kavanagh took up the role as Keytone listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) yesterday.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

He suggested to Australian media outlets investors gave a big show of confidence in Keytone Dairy on Wednesday (18 July), with its shares rising from AUD0.20 to AUD0.35 (US$0.15 to US$0.26) shortly after listing.

It raised AUD15m in capital through issuing 75m shares under an initial public offering.

Kavanagh said the company would use the funds raised from the listing to build a new dairy processing plant near Christchurch in New Zealand.

Keytone produces milk powder products, mostly for export into China. This year it launched a goat milk powder product on Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Keytone was founded by former Westland Dairy Co-op executive James Gong, who was born in China.

just-food has asked Keytone for more information on recent developments.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now