Sweet deal for Victorian chocolate factory

A chocolate factory on Victoria’s Philip Island has received funding from the government to expand its facilities and create more jobs. A popular tourist attraction, the Philip Island Chocolate Factory is being supported by the Business Competitiveness Program, which will allow it to increase its production capacity and build new viewing areas. The $1.4 million program will also see the creation of 25 jobs.

“We’re supporting businesses like the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory to expand and become more competitive because it drives growth and creates local jobs,” said Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula.

“This program provides Victorian businesses with the support they need to export even more products around the globe — cementing our reputation as Australia’s manufacturing state.”

The funding will bring in new machinery to boost production capacity of the factory from 35 tonnes a year to 550 tonnes — that’s an increase of almost 16 times and means that the chocolate equivalent of one Airbus A380 or over 100 Indian elephants will be made each year.

The viewing areas that will be created with the funding will boost tourism; prior to the onset of the pandemic, around 170,000 people visited the factory annually.

“We are passionate about chocolate and the support from the Victorian Government allows us to share our passion with more people from around the world and treat them to some Phillip Island sweetness,” said Panny Letchumanan, owner of the Philip Island Chocolate Factory.

A list of the other recipients awarded funding as part of Victoria’s Business Competitiveness Program is available online.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Evgeny