Gourlay’s Launceston: Planned factory to turbocharge growth

An iconic Tasmanian sweets producer, in the same family for 52 years and founded back in 1896, is eyeing expansion, with plans unveiled to break free of capacity restraints via a new factory.

Confectioner and owner Michael Wood making sweets at Gourlay's Sweet Factory Launceston. Picture: Supplied

Australia’s oldest confectionary manufacturer still using traditional methods, located in northern Tasmania, is eyeing off a massive growth agenda after unveiling plans for a new factory in a heritage-listed building.

Gourlay’s Famous Sweets, founded in Launceston in 1896 by William Gourlay, and owned by the Woods since 1970, has lodged an application with the City of Launceston to construct a new factory inside Thistle Street West’s heritage-listed Door of Hope building, the former pre-1920 Coats Patons textile factory.

Confectioner and owner Michael Wood making sweets at Gourlay's Sweet Factory Launceston. Picture: Supplied

Michael Wood, who alongside wife Anita purchased the business from his parents, Kerry and Bev, in 1999, said the relocation was pre-empted by a parallel proposal by Penny Royal World to redevelop the building which was the site of Gourlay’s existing factory.

Gourlay's Sweet Shop, Quadrant Mall, Launceston. Picture: Supplied

However, he sees much upside for his business.

“There is potential for growth in the business, at the moment we are really struggling to keep up with production,” he said.

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Gourlay’s currently uses four-and-a-half tonnes of chocolate and six tonnes of sugar per annum to produce its sweets – all made with traditional methods and original equipment – but, should council green-light the proposal, he would look at hiring an additional confectioner and ramping up production.

Fruit jellies at Gourlay's Famous Sweets. Picture: Gourlay's Famous Sweets

“In our new premises, we’ll be able to display more of what we’re manufacturing. Some of what we do now is hidden away, it’s not actually open to the public. There would be another two areas where we can do window viewing so people can have a look,” Mr Wood said.

“First of all, we need approval to operate at Door of Hope. Once we get that, we’ll apply for approval to have tourists and the public to come in and have retailing and sampling.”

Gourlay’s sweets are currently only sold from its Quadrant Mall retail shop, which has been there since 1980. The current application will not effect its operation.

Gourlay’s also manufactures a number of products on contract, such as honey drops for Tasmanian Honey Company, chocolates for House of Anvers, and honey almonds for Sunrise Bakery.

Door of Hope Launceston at Thistle St W. Picture: City of Launceston

Mr Wood said the success of the business was down to a mixture of moving with the times but respecting its heritage.

“The name of Gourlay’s is well-known in Tasmania. People have said why don’t you change the name (in light of our family owning it for 52 years). Well, if we changed the name we’d end up going broke, I think,” Mr Wood said.