As part of a $20m long-term investment in Tasmania, Visy has opened a new Packaging Hub in Devonport.
The facility will supply cardboard packaging to customers across Tasmania, including berry and produce growers, breweries and dairy producers.
The site was officially opened earlier this week by Julie Collins, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Visy said the hub is expected to contribute to employment across Tasmania’s expanding agriculture and food sectors.
Visy CEO Mark De Wit said the company sees strong prospects in the state’s primary industries and manufacturing base.
“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of Tasmanian agriculture and manufacturing,” De Wit said.
“We’re helping get premium Tasmanian produce, food and drinks to Australian supermarket shelves and take advantage of export markets in the region.
“Visy is committed to providing the infrastructure the state needs for farmers and the food and beverage sector to thrive.”
“Tasmania has some of the best produce in the world and this new site will deliver greater convenience and responsiveness for customers, with improved capacity and dedicated support.”
The 8500 square metre facility includes warehouse space and offices for sales and customer service.
Responding to questions from PKN, De Wit said the scale of the site would support faster turnaround times and more flexible supply arrangements.
“The size of the Tasmanian Packaging Hub will help improve turnaround times thanks to extra docks for loading and unloading trucks and our capacity to hold extra stock for customers who may need just-in-time deliveries,” he said.
He added that much of the packaged product handled at the site is transported to mainland Australia, with fibre ultimately returning through the company’s recycling network.
Visy manufactures its own kraft and 100 per cent recycled paper, securing local supply for its cardboard packaging operations and supporting consistent delivery for customers.
Minister Collins said the new Packaging Hub would strengthen employment and the state’s agricultural economy.
“This is an exciting development – supporting local jobs and the broader Tasmanian agricultural industry,” she said.
“Agriculture is worth more than $2 billion to the Tasmanian economy every year and plays an important role in our state.”
Visy operates across packaging, remanufacturing and recycling, employing 7500 people across 150 global sites, predominantly in Australia and New Zealand. The company partners with councils nationwide to process approximately 40 per cent of Australia’s kerbside recycling volumes.
