George Weston Foods is investing almost $133 million to build a new flour mill in Ballarat. It is the latest in a number of investments, relocations and upgrades undertaken by the bakery giant.
The company has built a new national Tip Top boutique bakery in Bendigo, relocated its Golden Crumpet manufacturing line from Adelaide to Dandenong, upgraded its Don KRC business in Castlemaine to grow exports, and is expanding its Yumi’s plant in Hallam to increase production.
George Weston Foods CEO Stuart Grainger said it was an exciting time for the company.
“We are investing in the future of sustainable agriculture and food production in Victoria. 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.
George Weston Foods’ new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat will create around 220 jobs, including the transfer of 46 jobs from its existing mill in Melbourne.
More than 1300 Victorian businesses and farmers supply and work with George Weston Foods, while the business employs around 3000 people across eight sites in Victoria.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas said the company is one of the the largest private sector employers in the state, with half of its workforce employed in regional Victoria.
The company’s commitment is the latest in a number of food and beverage companies relocating to the region including Luv-a-Duck and Kookas Country Cookies. Mars Wrigley is also located in Ballarat.
State member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said, “The development of this flour mill cements Ballarat’s reputation as a manufacturing hub and brings highly skilled jobs to the region.”
Thomas said the Ballarat West Employment Zone is vital to the growth of manufacturing jobs in Ballarat, “Jobs that can sustain generations of workers and benefits that flow right across the region.”
Victoria has the largest and most established food and beverage manufacturing sector in the nation, valued at around $38 billion and employing around 72,000 people.
