WHO: Gisborne Milk

WHAT: Production, processing, packaging and distribution of milk, cream, juice and water products.

WHERE: Processing plant in Gisborne with farms throughout the Gisborne, Wairoa and East Coast region.

STAFF: 44 at the factory.

PRODUCTION: Gisborne Milk processes 16 million litres of milk a year, with half of that going into packaged products and the other half into value-added products.

ANNUAL TURNOVER: $12 million.

FAMOUS FOR: Pioneering the use of cold fresh milk ultra filtration.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE ONE OF THE TEAM: People who are flexible and innovative, says chief executive Harvey Johanson. Gisborne Milk operates 365 days a year. Staff are well compensated to work through public holidays and weekends. Certificates in food handling are an advantage.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO: Harvey Johanson says Gisborne Milk has got where it is today because of its innovativeness. "We're doing things the big companies don't want to," says Johanson. "Our size means we can do smaller runs, we have the ability to change products quickly and have personal involvement with our clients and customers."

WEBSITE: www.gismilk.co.nz