Global seafood supplier, Safcol Australia, has broken ground on its new $80 million purpose-built food manufacturing facility in Edinburgh, South Australia – expected to deliver double the production capacity of the company’s current site.
Safcol has been in operation for over 80 years, delivering sustainably sourced fresh, frozen, and packaged seafood from ship to shelf. The company currently manufactures around 60 per cent of Australia’s wet baby food supply, alongside soups, canned vegetables, and seafood products for a number of Australian food brands and supermarket private labels. Safcol also processes local mussels and Australian canned abalone for export markets.
The new facility will replace Safcol’s existing Elizabeth factory over the next two years, which has been its primary headquarters and manufacturing facility for 30 years. It also houses the company’s national warehousing and import business, supporting seafood and pet food distribution across Australia.
Source: Sagle Constructions
The company officially broke ground on the new site on 2 June, with Sagle Constructions appointed lead contractor for the new facility. Safcol stated the move was part of a broader strategy focused on long-term manufacturing growth, operational efficiency and supply chain resilience.
According to Sagle, the site is 58,000 square metres, and development will include 24,000 square metres of climate-controlled production and food processing areas, warehousing, ground and first floor offices. Completion is expected in August 2027.
Safcol Australia CEO, Andrew Mitchell, said the investment was a strategic decision aimed at securing the future of local manufacturing operations while addressing increasing industry pressures.
“Our Elizabeth facility has served us incredibly well over many decades, but increasing energy costs, rising logistics pressures and ageing infrastructure meant we reached a point where maintaining long-term competitiveness required significant change,” said Mitchell.
“This investment is about building a manufacturing footprint that is fit for the future while continuing to support Australian producers, local supply chains and South Australian jobs. The new site gives us the opportunity to redesign our operations from the ground up with modern manufacturing capability, greater efficiency and room to support future growth.”
The new facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technology and provide opportunities for future renewable energy integration.
