‘Twice the size of the MCG’: New Cadbury factory set to open in Truganina
A $130 million Cadbury distribution centre is set to open in Truganina, creating over 200 jobs and handling 4m chocolate blocks a week.
Victoria
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A $130m distribution centre that is twice the size of the MCG is opening in Melbourne’s west.
The hi-tech Cadbury facility in Truganina will handle 4 million chocolate blocks a week, and has created more than 200 new jobs – 90 per cent of which have been filled locally.
As well as human handlers there will be 11 robotic cranes, 17 levels of automated storage, and 500 metres of conveyor belts.
Premier Jacinta Allan is set to tour the facility on Tuesday as she looks to promote an industry policy that is aimed at boosting jobs in the food sector and advanced manufacturing.
Ms Allan said Mondelez’s investment is “a vote of confidence in our workforce and world-leading food manufacturing sector – because Victoria is open for business”.
Cadbury, which is owned by food giant Mondelez International, says the new distribution centre – built on 47,000 sqm of vacant land – is its largest in the world, and is twice the size of the MCG.
The firm says that by centralising operations in the new facility it will be more efficient and also take 2700 trucks off roads each year.
Japan, Australia and New Zealand chief executive, Toby Smith, said the $130 million investment was a vote of confidence in the future of Australian manufacturing.
“We’re proud to make this investment in Australia, proud to create jobs in Melbourne’s west and proud that the biggest facility for Cadbury anywhere in the world is right here in Truganina,” he said.
“By consolidating our operations into one national hub, we’re reducing truck movements while at the same time increasing our capabilities.”
The Truganina National Distribution Centre will process Pascal, The Natural Confectionery Company, OB Finest and Olinas products that are made in Australia.
Mondelez employs about 1200 people in Victoria, and the Government says it contributes about $1 billion to the national economy each year – more than half of which is from activity in Victoria.
Originally published as ‘Twice the size of the MCG’: New Cadbury factory set to open in Truganina
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