Austrade has announced that George Weston Foods (GWF), one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest food manufacturers, is investing $132.9 million in a new flour mill and other facilities across regional Victoria.
Austrade said that GWF is building a new flour mill for its Mauri bakery ingredient business in Ballarat, which is set to create 320 jobs during construction.
The company will also be building a new national Tip Top boutique bakery in Bendigo; relocating its Golden Crumpet manufacturing line from Adelaide to Dandenong; upgrading its DON business in Castlemaine to grow exports and; expanding its Yumi’s plant in Hallam to increase production.
The investments will create 174 new jobs and support more than 1,300 Victorian businesses and farmers who supply and work with GWF.
The company’s brands include Tip Top, Abbotts Village Bakery, Burgen, DON, KR Castlemaine and Yumi’s.
“We are excited to be investing in the future of sustainable agriculture and food production in Victoria,” said Stuart Grainger, Chief Executive of George Weston Foods.
“This new flour mill, together with other investments, enables us to continue to grow our Tip Top, Abbotts, Don and Yumi’s brands whilst also being better able to serve the needs of our Mauri customers,” Grainger said.
Austrade said that GWF joins other multinational food and beverage companies investing in manufacturing facilities in Australia. They include Japanese giant Frucor Suntory, who is building a $400 million beverage manufacturing facility in Queensland and Danish company Naturli’ Foods’ manufacturing facility in NSW, which will tap into Australia’s $185 million plant-based meat market.
Austrade also said that US food manufacturer McCormick is investing in a new head office and food innovation centre in Victoria, while US company Mars Wrigley is investing A$30 million to expand its chocolate factory in the state.
Victoria has the largest and most established food and beverage manufacturing sector in Australia. The sector is valued at around A$38 billion and employs around 72,000 people.
Source: Austrade