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Dairy company Synlait Milk is talking to a possible buyer of its manufacturing plant in Pokeno, South Auckland.
The Australian media outlet has reported that US-based Abbott Laboratories has been negotiating with Synlait to buy the factory, of which it is a customer.
Synlait said in a note to the NZX it was in discussions with a party about its North Island assets.
"However, the discussions are incomplete, no binding terms are agreed, and there is no certainty that a transaction will occur."
It said it would provide further information as required by NZX rules, but otherwise would not respond to further media speculation.
Synlait reviewed the North Island operations as part of its financial rebuilding last year, which saw its two major shareholders -- China's Bright Dairy and A2Milk -- come to its rescue.
It decided to retain the Pokeno plant but stopped processing raw milk and moved to making plant based products, but said it would be open to a "compelling offer" for the facility.
Last year, Synlait reviewed the value of assets and wrote down their value by $114.6 million as it looked at future demand and underutilisation of the North Island facilities.
On Monday, Synlait's major customer, A2 Milk, said it was buying a manufacturing plant, also at Pokeno, owned by Chinese firm Yashili.
It plans to move some infant formula production there, which it said may reduce the business it does with Synlait.
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