Nestlé Australia’s $17 million expansion of its Tongala factory in regional Victoria and its brand new liquid manufacturing unit officially opens today.
The Tongala factory in the state’s north-east, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for Nestlé’s Health Sciences business as a manufacturing hub for Oceania, Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Following 18 months of construction work including rebuilding and refurbishing part of the existing site and installing new production lines, the factory now manufactures Nestlé Health Science’s hospital-grade ready to drink liquid supplements such as Resource, Isosource and tube feeding solutions for sick people who are unable to consume normal food.
The products are specialised nutritional formulations designed to meet the unique requirements of people suffering from various medical conditions such as malnutrition, diabetes and renal disorders.
The investment is a much-needed boost to the local economy which has experienced severe droughts and hardship over the last six years.
More than 80 contractors were employed during construction and up to 30 new positions will be created over the next two years as a result of the expansion.
“This significant investment by Nestlé Australia to turn its Tongala factory into a production hub is a huge vote of confidence for regional Victoria,” said Paul Bruhn, Regional Business Head for Nestlé Healthcare Nutrition.
“Tongala is now world class in its manufacturing capabilities and the transformation of this factory is an exciting venture, with an enormous potential for growth, as we develop and roll out new products specifically for the local and regional markets.”
Factory Manager, Mathew Oram said the expansion would lead to a significant increase in production.
“The factory will be manufacturing 7,000 tonnes of product annually by the end of 2013 giving us the capacity to supply Australia as well as other countries in our region,” he said.
The factory also produces Nestlé evaporated and condensed milks and a number of products from the Maggi range including 10 Minute Marinades and Just One-Pan.
For more information contact:
Anita Catalano
Media Relations Manager
Nestlé Australia
Ph: 02 8756 2388
M: 0406 403 397
[email protected]