Arnott’s opens new $22 million centre in Blacktown

A new $22 million Arnott’s Multi-Pack Centre was officially opened on Monday.

Arnott’s Asia Pacific President, Umit Subasi with Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

A new $22 million Arnott’s Multi-Pack Centre was officially opened in Blacktown on Monday.

The centre at Huntingwood which features state-of-the art equipment and technologies was opened by NSW Premier, Gladys Berjiklian.

Campbell Arnott’s Asia Pacific President, Umit Subasi, said the centre allows Arnott’s packaging to become more environmentally friendly.

The ribbon to the new million dollar centre at Huntingwood, Blacktown, was cut on Monday.

“As a result of this $22 million investment, Arnott’s has moved our popular snack-pack products into cardboard box outers which are better for the environment, protect the biscuits more effectively, sit more neatly in Aussie pantries and are easier to navigate on shelf for our shoppers,” he said.

Mr Subasi also noted the new centre allows manufacturing to continue to grow in Blacktown.

“For Arnott’s, manufacturing in Australia is part of our DNA,” he said.

“We proudly employ over 2,200 Australians, 529 who work here at Huntingwood and more than 99 per cent of our products are baked in Australia using majority Australian ingredients.”

Ms Berejiklian said the much-loved Australian icon is a staple in western Sydney.

“Arnott’s major investment ensures some of its most iconic products will be made in Western Sydney well into the future.”

Arnott’s employees with Mayor Bali and Dr Hugh McDermott MP in the new Multi-Pack Centre.

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the new centre is an example of businesses gaining confidence to work out of western Sydney.

“When Western Sydney wins everyone benefits,” Mr Ayres said. “Jobs are set to boom in this region and we’re seeing some of the biggest names choose Western Sydney as home base.”

This investment is part of a $40 million-dollar initiative by Arnotts to support capacity and manufacturing capabilities at the Sydney and Brisbane bakeries.

The centre’s opening comes after Arnott’s assured buyers and workers that the Huntingwood factory is here to stay despite concerns over the costs of energy at the factory.

Western Sydney’s manufacturing companies generating approximately $13.5 billion annually.

The concerns were raised during a forum hosted by Arnott’s last week, during which a discussion took place about issues facing the manufacturing industry in the western suburbs, with energy prices topping the list.

Arnott’s vice-president of supply Craig Funnell Arnott’s was seeing a 20 to 30 per cent cost increases in utility bills and to materials and packaging costs because of the jump in the energy bill.

The food and grocery sector makes up 35 per cent of manufacturing jobs in the Blacktown area with western Sydney’s manufacturing companies generating approximately $13.5 billion annually.