OPENWAY FOOD CO. has unveiled a new $10m manufacturing facility in Melbourne. The specialised plant enables, for the first time, the onshore production of coated, Mini Rice Cakes part of the Table of Plenty product line, following strong growth in product sales.
The new plant will create approximately 40 new jobs and deliver economic benefits to local rice and other ingredient producers who will supply the facility. Onshore manufacturing of the products will also reduce the costs and supply chain challenges associated with importing them from Europe, as well as improving their environmental footprint, according to the company.
OPENWAY FOOD CO. CEO Andrew Loader says: “The opening of this new manufacturing facility is what OPENWAY FOOD CO. is all about, enabling our passionate founder partners to scale-up their businesses and making purpose-led, better-for-you food products more accessible to Australian consumers.
“We have some outstanding local innovators and some of the best quality produce on our doorstep, so we need more onshore manufacturing capabilities to fully realise their value and keep the economic benefits within our local economy.
“This is a big moment for our Table of Plenty brand and our loyal consumers and also a win for Australian manufacturing,” Mr Loader said.
Table of Plenty founders Kate and Tal Weiss added, “It’s fantastic to be able to bring the production of our much-loved Rice Cakes home to Australia through our investment at OPENWAY FOOD CO. Australians want more wholesome and healthy foods that are produced sustainably and locally. Not only does it improve the carbon footprint of our products, we’re proud to be able to provide great manufacturing jobs and support local farmers.”
The new facility is located within OPENWAY’S multi-purpose Food plant in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and will manufacture the coated mini rice cakes range, supplying to a growing list of retailers in Australia, New Zealand & SE Asia.
