IN a move tagged as a game changer
for the Inverell Shire economy, the former pet food factory located on
Swanbrook Road has been sold to a team of local owners and industry veterans
and is poised to re-start its production line in early 2023.
The new owners, Sapphire Nutrition
Pty Limited, include Inverell-based Wes Sims and Peter Oliver, along with food
manufacturing industry veterans, the Greens Group and Premier Stockfeeds, who
joined forces to purchase the sprawling 10-hectare facility following the departure
of the factory’s previous owners.
Factory Manager Wes Sims said
Sapphire Nutrition’s factory launch would provide a huge boost to the New
England-North West, creating 60 local jobs within its first 2 years of
operation.
“Today, we are launching a
transformational project for Inverell which will not only create jobs but also
create a new market for local businesses, with around 80 per cent of raw
materials to be sourced within a 150 kilometre radius.
With close to 30 years in the pet
food manufacturing industry, Mr Sims says he and Site Manager Peter Oliver
believe the time is right to launch a premium dry pet food production facility,
with the Australian pet food industry booming and 2.7% growth per annum
expected until 2026.
From a strategic perspective, the
factory is ideally positioned with Bindaree Beef abattoirs located just minutes
away and local transport company, Inverell Freighters, operating a fleet of 30
prime-movers and 50 trailers.
“We’ve received tremendous support
already from Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, local suppliers and
major players in the Australian pet food industry who are looking to expand
their customised and premium pet food lines”.
Products to be manufactured at the
facility will be a combination of premium products which will include Sapphire
Nutrition’s own brand; a suite of boutique brands; and some private label
products.
Member for Northern Tablelands
Adam Marshall praised the owners for pursuing their new business venture, lauding
it as another huge shot-in-the-arm for the Inverell economy.
“This is really exciting news for
the Inverell community,” Mr Marshall said.
“It’s wonderful to see 60 new
full-time jobs will be created and this longstanding processing facility will
have new life breathed into it.
“Inverell is a growing community
which is on the move and this development is just another tangible sign of the
community’s exciting future.”
With a target factory start date
of April 2023, Mr Oliver says custom built technology for the production line
is already under development and employee recruitment will commence early in
the New Year.
_ENDS_
Pictured above: Arran Green (Investor), MP Adam Marshall, Nelson Green (Investor and Director of the Green Group), Deputy Mayor Kate Dight and Inverell based owners, Peter Oliver, Operations Manager and Wesley Sims, Factory Manager.
