Meet Adrienne Simmonds
Adrienne Simmonds is a Product Resolution Co-ordinator based at the Co-op’s Waitoa site and recently celebrated her 40-year-anniversary.
Adrienne says she has a mixture of feelings about the milestone. “Initially I feel like I am getting old, and I wonder where all the time has gone! But I’m proud to be one of the few women at Waitoa and within the Co-op who has reached this milestone. It’s great to have been part of the dairy industry for so long, supplying amazing products to the world. And of course, working with some great people over the years.”
Working at Waitoa is somewhat of a family tradition for Adrienne. When looking at the employment books a few years back, Adrienne says she was amazed at how many of her extended family had worked at the site.
Adrienne’s dad, Les with his tanker in 1973.
“Our family has had someone employed at the Waitoa site from 1940 to present day and at the time our family’s service totalled over 450 years – it’s even longer now.”
Adrienne says her first memories of the site began as a seven-year-old. “I can remember when Dad was driving milk tankers and sitting in the cream bays, while he cleaned the tanker.”
It wasn’t long before Adrienne joined her parents. “In 1983, I got a job as a Suppliers Milk Grader, testing the raw milk for bacteria in the Microbiology Laboratory. A year later I was moved into the Milk Grading department, where I obtained my Milk and Cream Graders Certificate.”
Our family has had someone employed at the Waitoa site from 1940 to present day and at the time our family’s service totalled over 450 years – it’s even longer now.
“Working alongside my dad, Les, as Transport Team Lead, mum, Frances, in the Laboratory, and my husband, Kevin , in the Powder Development Centre was a real highlight.”
Adrienne has worked across several departments at Waitoa and says the highlight has always been the people. “When you work in an industry this big, the one thing that defines it are the memories. The people that you have worked with over the years and the feeling of being part of an industry that really does have the family feel to it.”
Today Adrienne’s role is focused on grading and releasing products from all Cheese Plants across the Co-op and the UHT Plant at Waitoa.
From left to right: Melissa, Adrienne’s daughter; Les, Adrienne’s dad; Adrienne; and her husband, Kevin.
Adrienne and her horse, Annie.
She says the best part of her role is knowing she is a key player in a team that provides great products to the world. “I also enjoy sharing the experience I have gained over the years with people, especially those that are new to the industry.”
“People and their knowledge are what keep us moving forward. We learn from those around us and discover new and better ways to continue the ideal of making better products than before.”
Outside of work Adrienne enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her garden, tracing her family tree, or riding her horse, Annie. “I learnt to ride a horse as a much older adult. My horse, Annie, and I, take part in Cowboy Challenge, including trekking, distance riding, and ranch horse sports.”