Page 5 - Food & Drink Magazine April 2020

NEWS
Fonterra sells Dennington site to ProviCo
FONTERRA Australia has signed a sale agreement for its Dennington milk processing plant to Australian-owned animal nutrition manufacturer ProviCo.
In May 2019, Fonterra announced it was closing the site to consolidate its western Victoria manufacturing operations.
ProviCo is Australia’s largest supplier of calf milk replacers, manufacturing a range of feed and vitamin fortified products for animals including cattle, dairy, sheep, horses and pigs.
ProviCo MD Andrew Paterson told Food & Drink Business the facility would enhance its existing manufacturing and distribution footprint and support the company’s product ProfeLac branded milk replacers.
“We had been looking to expand our range and capabilities for a number of years – either to build or to buy and existing facility as we had identified a gap in the market for some time.
“This will be the only factory of its kind in Australia as we seek to replicate what is already happening in the US and Europe.”
The company owns and operates a milk powderblending,packingandlogisticsfacility
in Laverton, Victoria.
It will use the Dennington site to manufacture
a range of animal nutrition foods that deliver health and performance benefits for infant and production animals.
Paterson said that the sale will create new jobs for the Dennington community and provide environmental benefits for the agriculture industry. When Fonterra closed the site 98 people lost their jobs.
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FOOD and beverage manufacturing is the leading industry in this year’s Australia’s Top 100 Manufacturers, with 35 companies making the list. Fonterra Co-op Group made the top 10, ranked #2, JBS Australia was next at #13.
Advanced Manufacturing Expo’s Top 100 Manufacturers in Australia is released every year with research compiled by research company IBISWorld, which works with Food & Drink Business for its annual Australia’s Top 100 Food and Drink Companies report.
Coca-Cola Amatil was the highest ranked beverage manufacturer at #16.
IBISWorld enterprise researcher Aaron Vaserman said: “Australia’s reputation for pristineenvironmentsand
high-quality production in food and beverage products is expected to boost revenue for manufacturers within this industry segment.”
Saputo Dairy Australia appeared on the list for the first time, ranked #29. Lion fell by rank and revenue from #15 to #19. Carlton & United Breweries also dropped, from #23 to #28. TheTop100manufacturers
combined revenue was $319 billion, comprising 29 ASX- listed companies and 37 locally owned companies. Victoria confirmed its status as a manufacturing hub with seven of the top 10 based in the state.
“Australian manufacturers are taking advantage of opportunities for growth by focusing on premium areas of themarket,”Vasermansaid. ✷
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | April 2020 | Food&Drink business | 5