- Published:
- Friday 29 June 2018
The Andrews Labor Government is helping a food manufacturer in Melbourne’s north create jobs, expand its production and access new markets.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll toured the new Alba Cheese facility in Tullamarine to see the machinery that was purchased thanks to $450,000 from the Labor Government’s Local Industry Fund for Transition.
The grant helped Alba Cheese with its $3 million expansion, which included leasing a new site in Tullamarine to meet the rapidly expanding demand for its fresh and matured cheese in domestic and export markets.
As part of the upgrade, the company installed new machinery to increase its milk processing, cheese production and packaging efficiency.
The investment is creating 15 new jobs, with production of shredded cheese products to increase from 4 tonnes to 12 tonnes and from 70,000 litres to 160,000 litres of milk per day.
The family business supplies cheese products to retail, food service and industrial customers across Australia and Asia.
Through the Local Industry Fund for Transition, the Labor Government has supported 41 projects that are expected to create more than 1190 jobs – over 940 of which are suitable for ex-auto workers.
The fund assists businesses in generating new investment and creating jobs for retrenched workers in areas affected by the closure of car manufacturing, including Melbourne’s north.
The Labor Government has committed over $120 million in manufacturing support, creating over 6,000 jobs and driving more than $1.6 billion in private investment across the State.
The latest figures show that Victoria’s Performance of Manufacturing Index expanded for 16 consecutive months in May – the longest run of expansion on record.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“Alba Cheese is a great local success story and with the support of the Andrews Labor Government – they’re able to create jobs and boost production.”
“Food manufacturing is a vibrant sector in Victoria – the growth of Alba Cheese is testament to the strength of our industry.”