Lamb abattoir expansion in regional Victoria

Supported by a Victorian Government investment, Thomas Foods International has expanded its abattoir in Stawell, Victoria.

The expansion is set to almost double lamb production at the facility to more than 2.3 million per year, making Thomas Foods International a leader in Victoria’s lamb market. It will also help the company expand lamb exports across global markets, which include USA.

Works completed as part of the expansion include:

• a new chiller room with capacity for an extra 2000 carcasses
• a larger lamb boning room
• new coldroom storage facilities
• extra truck loading bays.

The expansion also included the installation of innovative technology and equipment, including an in-line traceability system which all areas of the abattoir are now connected to.

“Thomas Foods welcomes the completion of this milestone project in what is a key region of our operations,” said Chief Operating Officer Tom Davies.

“The expansion and development of these cold storage facilities significantly enhance our capacity onsite and creates local job opportunities.”

The abattoir is already Stawell’s largest employer; however, the expansion brings another 100 jobs which takes the total onsite workforce to 600.

The Stawell site is already rated as one of Australia’s best lamb processing facilities, and the abattoir is a key supplier for Woolworths and Aldi and a major exporter.

The bigger and better facilities and larger workforce will help take Victorian products to a wider international market.

This investment is part of the Victorian Government’s $45 billion support for rural and regional Victoria over the past decade.

Image credit: iStock.com/freeskyline