Ireland-based taste and nutrition company Kerry Group is building a new purpose-built food technology and innovation centre of excellence in Queensland, Australia.
The new Kerry Australia and New Zealand Development and Application Centre will include pilot plants, laboratories and tasting facilities.
The Brisbane facility will enable Kerry to reduce time to market for new product development and is set to increase its capacity to drive food innovation in the region.
“The new facility aligns with Kerry’s globally-recognised innovation strategy focused on value creation for the consumer, as it reflects changing industry needs and unlocks sector growth opportunities in Australia and New Zealand,” said Christine Giuliano, General Manager at Kerry Australia and New Zealand.
“More importantly, it will bring the benefits of our global technologies to local food and beverage producers – supporting regional industry development. Our team at the new centre will be able to leverage Kerry’s R&D network around the world, as well as global insights, market knowledge, and culinary and applications expertise to customise solutions that ultimately deliver exciting products that resonate with the local market,” Guiliano said.
The Brisbane facility will act as the new headquarters for Kerry in Australia and New Zealand while its existing facility in Sydney will retain a specialist research and development applications hub.
Food and beverage industry in Australia
The food and beverage industry is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector and with an annual turnover of $50 billion, representing more than 18% of total domestic manufacturing turnover.
Related: Grants for food and beverage manufacturers open under $1.3B initiative
Kerry’s investment was supported by the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund, which aligns with the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, where food and beverage is one of six areas of comparative advantage and strategic importance.
“This investment, which is supported by the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund, will pave an economical and efficient path for commercialisation of new products, and focus on Kerry’s global innovation initiatives in health and wellness, sustainability, convenience, affordability and premiumisation, allowing regional businesses to connect and access the global market by leveraging the Kerry brand,” Giuliano said.
Kerry will also partner with local universities to place graduates in the centre through its Graduate Programme.
“We are committed to investing in local talent and developing the next generation of Australian food scientists. Considering Queensland’s alignment with Kerry’s growth strategies, we are looking forward to supporting a strong, sustainable and critical food and beverage manufacturing sector in the region,” Guiliano concluded.
Source: Kerry, AusTrade