Nestlé Australia says the $32 million investment in its Smithtown plant in northern New South Wales will install more energy and time efficient equipment to increase production capacity of Milo, Nescafé mixes, Nesquik, and Malted Milk.
Factory manager James Garley told Food & Drink Business, “Nestlé has been operating here at the Smithtown factory for more than 100 years. We’re proud of the fact we produce some of Nestlé’s most iconic brands for the region.”
The existing factory has four dryers which are coming to the end of their service life and the decision was made to build a new facility at the plant and install two new dryers before decommissioning the original site.
“It is a complex project, but it reflects the amazing engineering group we have on site that has been working on the solution for some time.
“The new dryers are bigger and faster than the original four and will increase capacity. We’re also installing a new fully automated drive feed system,” Garley said.
German company Bucher Merk has supplied much of the process equipment. It has a long history of working with Nestlé globally.
GEA has supplied the powder feeding systems.
The upgrade is due to be completed by end of 2024. Nestlé employs more than 200 people at the factory and current production is more than 200,000 tins of Milo, Nescafé mixes, Nesquik, and Malted Milk a year.
