Nestlé invests $65m in Blayney pet food factory

Nestlé Australia has increased production at its Purina factory in Blayney, NSW, after an injection of CHF 54 million (AU$65 million). The investment will reportedly create an additional 100 full-time jobs at the site.

The company has invested nearly $100 million in the facility since 2011.

The upgraded facility will produce more than 100,000 tonnes of wet pet food each year, which will be sold in pouches in Australia and exported to Japan, China and New Zealand.

Taking almost two years to complete, the upgrade includes the installation of world-class production equipment, a 5400 m² warehouse and an upgrade to its research and development facility.

The company sources more than 80% of the raw materials used at the plant domestically, including meat, grains and packaging.

“It’s important that manufacturing facilities remain competitive to ensure future investment within the region,” said Suleman Khan, Nestlé Purina PetCare vice president operations. “That means bringing together the right factory, in the right location, making the right products, at the best cost.”

Beginning operations in 1989, the factory manufactures a range of products including dry cat and dog food such as Supercoat, Beneful, Lucky Dog, Pro Plan and Friskies for domestic and export markets.