Marking the single largest capital investment in the growth of its business to date, Orora's $42 million injection into its Gawler, South Australia facility will see output increase by 60 million bottles per annum.
The decision was prompted by increased demand from the wine segment, driven in part by a move within the industry to repatriate offshore bottling, and also the the positive impact of the lower Australian dollar on customer volumes (both domestically and export).
MD and CEO Nigel Garrard said the glass business is already in an oversold position.
The installation of the additional glass bottle forming lines, scheduled for commissioning by the end of the first half of 2017, will add 25 new jobs in the region and delivering significant flow-on benefits to local suppliers of materials and services.
The company says a further $10-15 million investment in an automated warehouse is also under consideration.
