Pet food manufacturer Mars Petcare Australia is enhancing the food manufacturing capabilities of its Wodonga factory with a new $112.6 million investment.
The project builds on more than the $55.8 million funding invested in the Victorian facility over the past five years to future-proof Mars’ local operations and will create more than 60 new jobs in regional Victoria.
The investment will spearhead the development of a 7,800 sq m manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of Single Serve Pouches, including two additional lines with a combined yearly capacity of 25 kT, which is equivalent to around 290 million cat food pouches.
The new site will cater to the Australian and New Zealand markets and serve the growth of both existing and new product ranges across Mars Petcare’s well-known brands, such as Whiskas, Advance, Optimum, and Dine.
Craig Sargeant, general manager of Mars Petcare Australia, said the company looks to boost its local operations by sourcing and maximising its portfolio in Australia.
Sergeant said the investment will also allow the company to respond to pet trends such as the continued rise in cat ownership, which is growing nearly 4 per cent per year.
“We’re also seeing increased demand for convenience, with pouch products representing half of the Australian wet cat food market and growing at nearly 10 per cent per year,” the general manager added.
The project also received grant funding from the Victorian government’s Regional Development Victoria.
“As pet ownership continues to increase there are enormous opportunities for businesses like Mars to expand. We’re continuing to work with rural and regional producers to support investment in growth industries, to cement Mars Petcare’s long-term operations and workforce in Wodonga and its place in a strong market,” said Harriet Shing, Minister for Regional Development Victoria.
