The Aria Co-operative Dairy Company was established in 1911 after purchasing the assets of the existing privately owned dairy company. It had a guarantee of supply from 410 cows and a registered capital of £5000. Mr C J Riddle (the CO’s great grandfather) was the chairman of directors for the first 12 years of operation. Mr J M McDonald was factory manager for the first 10 years, his remuneration was £150 per year.
During its first season the factory had 26 suppliers providing a total of 39,671 lb of butterfat for which they were paid 9d. per pound. An average annual income of £59.10.4 for each supplier. Production in the first year was 21 tons of butter.
In 1920 the old factory was replaced by a new concrete factory with a capacity to produce 500 tons. However, its highest output was only 255 tons, reached in the 1931-32 season. In 1942, with the number of suppliers dropping and more modern transport the Company merged with the Piopio Co-operative Dairy Company.
[Reference: ‘No Greater Purpose’ by C J Riddle]