MAP WA, a joint venture between the Western Meat Packer Group (WMPG) and Coles, has expanded its innovative packaging system at its Bibra Lake facility, signalling a major boost to the state’s meat processing sector.
The upgraded facility, leveraging Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology, will pave the way for a substantial surge in retail-ready packages of premium-quality beef, lamb, and pork.
These products, destined for Coles stores across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, will see production double to an impressive 2.1 million packs per week, the government said in a media statement.
The MAP technology employed in this process is known for naturally preserving the visual, textural, and nutritional attributes of meat products for approximately twice as long as conventional packaging methods.
This development also means that consumers throughout Western Australia will have the pleasure of indulging in a broader range of meat products, as the product lines increase from six to nine.
The expansion effectively doubles the processing capacity of MAP WA, allowing for the delivery of up to 400,000 kilograms of meat products per week to meet the growing demand.
In addition to these advancements, robotics technology has been seamlessly integrated into the facility’s operations to enhance logistics efficiency, streamlining the journey from processing to supermarket shelves.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis expressed her enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “This investment is great news for the WA meat industry – boosting processing capacity, while delivering a greater range of premium local meat products to consumers across WA.”
Jarvis added, “This development illustrates how processors and retailers can work together to capture new markets and employment opportunities.”
Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie also commended the Western Meat Packers Group for its remarkable growth and success, highlighting the company’s evolution from a small family business to one of Australia’s most trusted beef and lamb processors and exporters.
She noted, “WMPG has now become one of Australia’s most trusted beef and lamb processors and exporters with the support of the Cook Government.”
According to her, the firm obtained a $300,000 grant from the WA government’s Value Add Agribusiness Investment Attraction Fund in 2020 to assist with the $10 million development of its Cowaramup abattoir.
“Most of the fresh meat processed at the upgraded Bibra Lake facility will come from our South West,” Kelsbie concluded.
