FDBusiness.com

Nestlé Australia has increased production of pet food at its Purina factory in eastern Australia. An additional 100 full-time roles will be created thanks to the two-year investment of SFr54 million (Eur44.8 million) at the Blayney, New South Wales plant.

The facility upgrade will mean the factory can produce over 100,000 tonnes of pet food each year, including brands such as Beneful, Lucky Dog, Pro Plan and Friskies to be sold in Australia, Japan, China and New Zealand. It’s expected the new plant will boost the factory’s annual production to over 100,000 tonnes.

More than 80 per cent of raw materials used at the factory are sourced domestically, including meat, grains and packaging, with a strong focus on buying ingredients from within the local region.

The latest upgrade, which has taken almost two years to complete, includes the installation of world-class production equipment, a 5,400 square metre warehouse, and an upgrade to the Research and Development facility, putting the Nestlé Purina PetCare Blayney factory at the forefront of innovation.

Nestlé Purina PetCare President Rafael Lopez says: “This technology has the capability and flexibility to create demand for a premium product, with the taste profile pets prefer, with the simplicity of packaging and serving their owners prefer, and with the outstanding balanced nutrition needed to help pets live happier, healthier and longer lives.”