A $130 million state-of-the-art confectionary distribution centre has opened in Truganina and has been touted as an important economic development in the city’s west.
Described as ‘the world’s largest chocolate distribution centre’ the facility opened on Tuesday, July 22 and is run by Mondelēz, the company that makes Cadbury and The Natural Confectionery Company products.
At 47,000 square metres, the ‘high-tech’ facility is expected to increase the company’s previous storage capacity by nearly 60 per cent and will be able to produce more than 450 million products annually.
More than 200 new jobs have been created in warehousing, co-packing and manufacturing after the opening of the facility.
According to the state government, the facility will be entirely powered by renewable electricity and features 1mw of solar generation capacity and rainwater reuse.
The distribution centre is also expected to help make truck movements across the state more efficient and improve the supply chain of products across the state.
The corporation currently has operational facilities in South Melbourne, Ringwood, Scoresby and Dandenong South and employs about 1200 people across the state.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Economic Growth and Jobs Minister Danny Pearson attended the site’s opening.
Mr Pearson said the occasion reflected Victoria’s proficiency in advanced logistics and said it would provide a better supply chain function.
“This is a great example of how Victoria is leading the way in advanced logistics and manufacturing – delivering cutting-edge capability, supporting good local jobs and building a stronger, more sustainable supply chain,” he said.
According to the state government the company contributes close to $1 billion to the national economy annually – with more than half of that economic activity centred in Victoria.
Mondelēz is also believed to procure resources from more than 970 Australian suppliers.
Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch said the facility will be a boost for jobs in the western suburbs.
“This new facility in Truganina is a big win for our community – creating hundreds of local jobs and cementing our region as a hub for advanced manufacturing.”
Japan, Australia and New Zealand chief executive, Toby Smith, said the $130 million investment was a vote of confidence in the future of Australian manufacturing.
