Ice cream brand Harry & Larry's will build a new premium ice cream facility featuring the latest developments in freezing technology.
The Victorian government is contributing $1.2 million of its $24.5 million Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Fund (MNIIF) for the facility, which will also include custom engineering production lines.
Harry & Larry’s founder Lawrence Harris said: “We’re currently looking to secure a new site in Melbourne’s north, with a view to move into our new factory in 2016.”
“Ice cream production is an art and we’re constantly experimenting with new flavours, inclusions and techniques to give our customers what they want – premium, beautiful ice cream at an affordable price.”
While general manufacturing jobs have decreased since 2012, the ice cream manufacturing industry has seen strong business growth year on year.
In line with these statistics, Harry & Larry’s has increased its plant capacity by 40 per cent in the last year alone.
The MNIIF fund was established by the federal and Victorian governments with Ford Australia, following Ford’s announcement that it will cease local production of its cars in 2016, to support local manufacturing businesses and drive economic growth in Victoria.
Harris said the grants were a positive sign that Australian governments were prepared to invest in manufacturing in the right areas – innovation, capacity and efficiency.
“This grant will not only allow us to expand and innovate, but will in turn create over 30 new jobs.
“Creating new jobs is a very important part of the fund, as is the focus on continual innovation and staying ahead of the curve."
