SPC Ardmona, an Australian fruit packing company owned by Coca-Cola Amatil, has opened the phase I of the $100m modernisation and renewal project at its fruit processing plant in Shepparton, Australia.
The new SPC snack line at the facility will produce any of SPC's food products in cup format, by using an improved gentler cooking process.
With this investment, SPC Ardmona will add consumer-ready products to its domestic and global range to cater to an increasingly high demand for such products among Australia's key export markets.
The project is expected to create close to 2,700 jobs in the region.
Commenting on the development, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said: "The new processing line will enable SPC Ardmona to produce higher value, consumer-ready products of the kind that are in increasing demand in local and overseas markets.
"This is a great outcome for SPC Ardmona, its workers and all its suppliers and a testament to their hard work."
The project secured $22m from the Victorian government, in addition to an investment from Coca-Cola Amatil.
SPC chief financial officer James Harvey said: "SPC has worked with our suppliers to deliver this first major milestone in our investment plan in just six months - that's record time from ordering to operating. We were determined to produce this season's fruit using the new line with our new-look snack cups, which are in store now."
Image: SPC Ardmona manufactures and markets processed fruits and vegetables in Australia. Photo: courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography / freedigitalphotos.
