News

Saputo invests in Tassie plant

By Jeanette Severs

Feb 16, 2023

Saputo chief executive officer Lino Saputo on the site of the new, expanded, manufacturing facility at Smithton. Building and fit out will be completed by spring 2023, in time for new season milk.

Lino Saputo announced on February 16 that the international dairy processor and food manufacturer will invest $20 million in its Smithton (Tasmania) plant.

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The new facilities will enable expansion of the frozen cream cheese product highly-sought 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.

“The new plant will be up and running by spring 2023,” Mr Saputo said.

Mr Saputo is in Australia this week and made the announcement after a meeting with staff at the Smithton plant in Tasmania.

He said 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.

“We’re delighted about our platform in Australia. We have enough suppliers among our milk pool to meet our commitments to our customers and clients.

“We value our milk suppliers in Australia and we will do what we need to, to hold onto them.”

By Jeanette Severs

Contributor