Famed Toowoomba chocolate maker needs your help
THIS factory makes some of the best chocolate in the world but it must expand to survive
Toowoomba
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IN A bid to mix with the major players Toowoomba chocolatiers Metiisto are expanding their operation.
Metiisto recently purchased a new milling machine that will help Trevor and Magdalena Smith produce a greater volume of their award-winning chocolate.
The mill cost about $120,000 but it was necessary as Mr Smith said his business must get bigger to compete for market share.
"Every restaurant will have something chocolate on the menu," he said.
"They want to sell chocolate, but it all comes down to the price."
Everything in Metiisto factory is handmade, which increases labour costs.
Most of the equipment they currently use is modified and repurposed from other industries, such as a coffee roast retooled to roast coco beans.
Mr Smith banked on larger, fit-for purpose machines reducing those costs - but growth costs money.
The mill ate the last of the couple's savings, so they launched a crowd-funding campaign to pay for the rest.
He also wants to buy the main chocolate ingredient - coco beans - in bulk.
"We want to buy a tonne," Mr Smith said.
"That costs $10,000."
The main item on the wish list is a fit-for-purpose panning machine to make chocolate-covered nuts and fruit.
If the factory can source the right machines Mr Smith knows his chocolate will sell.
Last year it won five gold medals and three silver medals at the RASV Australian Food Awards and a gold and the international rising star trophy at the Academy of Chocolate Awards.
To support Metiisto visit indiegogo.com/projects/metiisto-craft-chocolate.