Our Story
The Problem We Saw
In his final years at Fonterra, Colin Oliver had a view of the NZ food industry that few people have ever had. As Chair of the Dairy Product Safety Advisory Council (DPSAC), he had access to national compliance data across the sector – and what that data showed was concerning.
Smaller food businesses – producers, exporters, manufacturers were consistently struggling to stay compliant with the Animal Products Act and wider food safety obligations. Not because they didn’t care. Because they couldn’t access, or couldn’t afford, the senior expertise they needed to get it right.
At the same time, Colin had spent years developing food safety professionals and watching them move on to great careers. He could see that the industry had a recruitment and knowledge gap that wasn’t being filled.
So in 2016, he left Fonterra and set up Produco.
Ten Years. One Mission.
Produco turned 10 in May 2026 - and the mission has not changed.
We exist to give food businesses the compliance and quality support they need to operate, grow, and export with confidence.
Over the past decade, we have:
- Helped a greenfield dairy factory go from startup to export-ready in six weeks
- Worked alongside New Zealand Sheep Milk to pass every audit since we started with them
- Supported Swissport and businesses across dairy, infant formula, honey, meat, seafood, protein, and more
- Built and delivered Food Control Plans, RMPs, HACCP programmes, FSSC 22000 and export compliance pathways
- Grown into a team of senior specialists covering NPD, honey, regulatory, auditing, and quality – permanently employed, not ad-hoc contractors
What started as one person solving one industry problem has grown into NZ’s most experienced food safety consultancy team – and we are still growing.
What We Stand For
We have been doing this for 10 years and a few things have become non-negotiable for us.
Senior Expertise
at Every Level
Every Produco engagement is led by experienced consultants – not graduates running from a template. When you ask us a hard question, you get an answer from someone who has dealt with that exact problem before.
Practical
Over Perfect
Food businesses need solutions that work in the real world, not 200-page documents that sit in a drawer. We build systems your team can actually use and maintain.
Knowledge Transfer,
Not Dependency
Our goal is to leave your team more capable than when we arrived. We coach, we train, and we explain – because a food business that understands why it does things is a food business that keeps passing audits after we have gone.
Honest About
Scope and Cost
We tell you what the work involves and what it costs before we start. If a project is bigger or more complex than you expected, we say so early – not halfway through.
Connected to the Regulator Network
Our team has strong relationships with MPI and the regulatory community. We know how approvals work, what auditors are looking for, and how to navigate the system efficiently.
Not sure which service you need?
Book a free 30-minute consultation, and we will tell you.
What We Don't Do
After 10 years, we are clear on what we are not.
- We don’t send graduates to solve senior problems
- We don’t use off-the-shelf templates and call them tailored solutions
- We don’t disappear after handing over a document
- We don’t tell clients what they want to hear if it is not the right answer
- We don’t work with businesses who are looking for a tick-box exercise rather than genuine compliance
In Good Company
We are proud members of the food safety and industry associations that keep standards high – and our clients include some of NZ’s most respected food businesses.
Memberships and Associations
Clients We Have Worked With
Client Reviews
The relationships we build with our clients are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s what food industry professionals across New Zealand have to say about working with Produco and the results we’ve helped them achieve.
Why Produco
Proven Industry Experience
We’ve helped businesses across the food, beverage, dairy, meat, export, retail, and medicinal cannabis sectors solve complex compliance and food safety challenges with confidence.
Practical Solutions
We focus on clear, actionable advice and systems that work in the real world—not unnecessary complexity or paperwork.
Senior-Level Expertise
Our experienced consultants bring deep knowledge of HACCP, GFSI standards, audits, retailer requirements, and regulatory compliance.
End-to-End Support
From startups entering the market to established manufacturers managing audits, exports, certifications, and operational improvements, we’re with you every step of the way.
Commercially Focused
We understand that compliance must support business growth. Our recommendations are designed to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and help you achieve your commercial objectives.