Saputo Dairy Australia’s Smithton frozen natural cream cheese production facility has gone live for the first time following a $20 million capital investment.
The investment in new infrastructure has generated employment in the region and is creating value for the plant, stakeholders, employees and customers.
SDA’s Tasmanian regional operations manager Paul Davies said going live was an important milestone for the company’s Tasmania operations, with the investment strengthening SDA’s competitiveness.
“We’re pleased that this new facility in Smithton is operating in time for peak milk production,” Mr Davies said.
“Demand for high-quality dairy products continues to grow.
“We’re continually working to ensure we have the right manufacturing footprint and product offering to enhance our position as a high-quality, low-cost processor with a sharp focus on innovation, efficiency and simplicity.
“We remain committed to the Australian dairy industry, and will continue to make major investments and strategic decisions to ensure our long-term business success as we pursue more high-value product opportunities in domestic and premium export markets.”
Saputo chief executive officer Lino Saputo said in February the investment was a reinforcement of the company’s faith in the dairy industry in Australia, and especially in Tasmania.
“We’re confident our dairy farmer suppliers in Tasmania can meet the demand for product in our facility at Smithton,” he said.
The new facilities will enable expansion of the frozen cream cheese product highly sought after by hospitality and food service businesses. The cream cheese is a product of frozen milk fat solids.
As a high-value product, frozen cream cheese is added to soups, sauces, dips, casseroles and adds flavour to cakes and biscuits.