A global manufacturing company and distributor of sustainable, innovative packaging has expanded its operations in Victoria as part of a multi-million-dollar project that is creating local jobs and boosting the state’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, with support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Manufacturing Sovereignty Ben Carroll visited Orora Beverage’s Dandenong facility, which is part of a $110 million investment from the state government to expand its manufacturing operations in the state, creating up to 18 new jobs.
Orora’s expansion will allow the company to meet increasing demand from major global beverage customers across the industry including producers of craft and traditional beer, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Headquartered in Melbourne, Orora manufactures and distributes innovative packaging solutions including aluminium cans, glass bottles and corrugated board, with more than 250 employees in the state.
The company has established a new aluminium beverage can manufacturing line at its Dandenong site to meet market demand for varying can sizes from slim and sleek 200ml to classic 500ml, while increasing production capacity. Orora has also increased capacity and warehousing for its production at its Ballarat facility.
The environmentally sustainable aluminium can manufacturer produces its beverage cans on a conveying system, where aluminium coil made from mostly recycled content is mechanically and chemically treated and cured to solidify the can shape. The recyclable cans are then decorated, palletised and shipped to customer plants for filling.
Orora Beverag President Simon Bromell spoke about the importance of the funding.
“We’re proud of the contribution we make to the local economy as a responsible manufacturer and employer in the local community. We welcome the Victorian Government’s support for Orora’s important cans capacity expansion projects,” he said.
Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll explained the importance of state government funding for companies like Orora.
“We’re backing companies like Orora to expand, become more innovative and create jobs because we’re Australia’s advanced manufacturing state,” he said.
The state’s $33 billion manufacturing industry is a driving force of Victoria’s economy, made up of around 24,000 businesses, supporting more than 250,000 jobs, and providing around 30 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing output.
The Government is supporting advanced manufacturers to innovate, build sovereign capabilities and take advantage of new opportunities through initiatives including the $15 million Made in Victoria – Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund and the $20 million Manufacturing and Industry Sovereignty Fund.