Sunshine Coast has an appetite for advanced manufacturing

Sunshine Coast specialised food producer Epicurean Products is set to become an advanced manufacturer and improve efficiency thanks to a half-million-dollar Palaszczuk Government grant.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the Yandina-based company would use the $514,955 grant to install new processing systems to reduce production time and improve food safety.

“The grant will enable Epicurean to install a state-of-the-art batch vacuum system that will halve current batch production times, and a sachet sealing machine that automates temperature control to eliminate contamination risks,” Dr Lynham said.

“Until now, regional food producers may have missed opportunities because existing manufacturing processes were unable to meet market demands.

“With the government’s grant, the company will now be able increase market share and its international competitiveness.

“Now, thanks to Epicurean’s vision and the Queensland Government’s investment, the company will have access to world-class manufacturing processes and their 23 employees will have secure, highly-skilled jobs into the future.”

Epicurean is a leading food manufacturer of dressings and sauces, with an estimated two million Australians consuming Epicurean products each week.  

The company supplies a range of Australian food brands, including major supermarket chains, and sources ingredients from local suppliers. This is estimated to directly contribute around $5 million into regional food supply chains.

“Epicurean is just another example of the strong appetite for innovation in Queensland’s manufacturing industry.”

Queensland’s $20 billion manufacturing sector already employs 169,000 people. The Palaszczuk Government has a 10-year plan to transition the state’s manufacturing sector to more advanced manufacturing high-paid, knowledge-based jobs.

 The $20 million Made in Queensland program offers matching grants of between $50,000 and $2.5 million to manufacturers looking to adopt innovative processes and technologies to generate highly-skilled jobs and become more internationally competitive.

Manufacturers have to match the government grant monies dollar-for-dollar under the Made in Queensland Program.

[ENDS]           Media inquiries: Jan Martin 0439 341 314