The Andrews Labor Government has secured a $52.5 million investment by Australia’s largest pet food maker Mars Petcare to expand its Wodonga plant, safeguarding 500 local jobs.
With the support of the Labor Government, Mars Petcare has expanded its single serve foil tray pet food line at the plant, doubling production capacity and boosting exports by $20 million per annum.
Touring the Wodonga plant today, Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, said the project would also secure the future of the plant as a major regional export hub for Mars Petcare.
The Labor Government worked closely with Mars Petcare to attract and facilitate the investment, securing the overall project.
Mars Petcare is the largest retail pet food maker in Australia, with a market share of more than 40 per cent. More than half of the company’s Australian revenue is generated from products made at the Wodonga site, which opened in 1967.
The Wodonga plant purchases about $110 million worth of ingredients annually from Victorian suppliers, supporting an estimated 335 Victorian jobs.
The wet pet food single serve tray production plant makes about 11,000 tonnes of the DINE and MyDOG varieties per year.
Expanding single serve tray pet food production will meet significant demand in markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region, introduce new technology and position the Wodonga plant for growth. Part of the investment will also go towards a significant upgrade of the existing cannery facility.
Through the Labor Government’s $500 million Regional Jobs and Infrastructure fund we are supporting projects across regional and rural Victoria that will build critical infrastructure, create jobs, invest in communities and support new and emerging industries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford
“This significant investment is a vote of confidence in the local community and confirms regional Victoria’s reputation as a great place to operate a business.”
“We’re proud to have supported Mars Petcare with funding and provided support to secure the plant and 500 jobs for the local community.”
Quotes attributable to General Manager, Mars Petcare Australia, Sylvia Burbery
“Mars Petcare is proud to announce today a $52 million investment into our Wodonga pet food factory to expand our single serve facility and upgrade our cannery which has provided employment to many local families for the last 48 years.”
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the local community and marks the first phase of a much larger $141 million planned investment to keep us competitive and serving the best quality food to even more pets.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020