- Published:
- Wednesday 15 June 2016
Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford today toured the iconic SPC Ardmona factory in Shepparton to inspect its upgraded facility.
SPC is an important company for Shepparton and for all of Victoria, having been an employer and profitable business in the state for 100 years.
The Andrews Labor Government recognises the important contribution regional food processors such as SPC make to Victoria’s economy and regional communities.
The Government was proud to have put $22 million towards the $100 million upgrade and expansion – which will safeguard 500 jobs at SPC Ardmona and up to 2,700 jobs with growers and suppliers to the fruit processing plant in Shepparton.
The investment in the new high-speed snack line is the first phase of a $100 million investment program which will transform the century-old cannery into a modern, innovative food company.
The upgraded food-processing operations will enable SPC Ardmona to increase its domestic and global range to include consumer-ready products that are in increasingly high demand among Australia’s key export markets.
SPC is Australia’s largest producer of premium packaged fruit and vegetables, processing approximately 150,000 tonnes of fruit and tomatoes a year in the Goulburn Valley.
Through Regional Development Victoria, the Labor Government has been working closely with SPC to better understand the particular challenges and opportunities the business faces.
The Labor Government has identified the food and fibre sector as a priority growth area and is supporting businesses like SPC’s to identify, grow and capture markets.
The sector generated exports worth $12 billion in 2014-15 and employs more than 190,000 people across Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"We’re excited about the next chapter for SPC Ardmona, as the company works to retain and grow its market share and develop a larger range of products.”
“We're working with horticulture producers to improve market access by investing in biosecurity and developing greater trade expertise in our regions.”