Sunshine Coast fine food manufacturer thriving after state funding boost

A Yandina food manufacturer has reduced its production time by 30 per cent and created six new jobs since securing funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s successful $40 million Made in Queensland program.

Epicurean Products received a $514,955 grant in 2017 via the first round of Made in Queensland funding, which saw 53 grants awarded totalling $18.2 million.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said Made in Queensland has enabled Epicurean to grow jobs, increase output and capitalise on new export opportunities.

"Made in Queensland helped fund a state-of-the-art batch vacuum system to reduce production times, and a sachet-sealing machine with automated temperature control and anti-condensation to eliminate contamination risks,” Mr Dick said.

“Installing this leading-edge equipment and implementing such innovative systems has helped Epicurean improve their productivity and international competitiveness.

“Epicurean is a showcase Sunshine Coast manufacturer that truly embodies the innovation and initiative for which Queensland is renowned for.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to have helped Epicurean on their journey, and their results show that our programs like Made in Queensland are working.”

Epicurean Products Managing Director Tim Spence Thomas said the company supplies a range of Australian food brands, including major supermarket chains, and sources ingredients from local suppliers where possible.

“Reaching an estimated two million Australians each week with our fresh dressings and sauces, this project has positioned us to increase our focus on improving international competitiveness and market share,” Mr Spence Thomas said.

“Epicurean’s operations directly contribute around $5 million into regional food supply chains each year, and thanks to funding from the Queensland Government we’ve been able to create six new high-skill jobs.

“We are competing in a global market and manufacturing needs to produce goods that do justice to our region’s rich ingredients and food heritage.

“In 2016 we set out to change our company to become not just a food business but a technology business as well.

“This grant has helped us invest one million dollars’ worth of new technology and training to keep jobs in regional Queensland and generate new jobs,” he said.

“The Queensland Government has supported us all the way.”

Round 1 of Made in Queensland saw the Palaszczuk Government invest $18.2 million in Queensland’s manufacturing sector, which is leading to the creation of an estimated 532 direct, high-skill jobs.

Through Made in Queensland Round 2, a further $17.62 million will help 25 businesses around our state innovate, expand and employ.

“Queensland’s manufacturing sector is worth $20 billion annually to our economy and provides jobs to more than 181,000 people,” Mr Dick said.

"A strong manufacturing sector means more Queensland jobs, and more jobs means a stronger Queensland.”

Manufacturing across the Sunshine Coast employs 6.2 per cent of the working population (2017/18) and in quarter four 2018 this was equal to 8700 jobs.

In this time, 1257 manufacturers across the Sunshine Coast had an output of $2.3 billion.

Since January 2015, more than 181,000 jobs have been created in Queensland.

The $40 million Made in Queensland initiative complements the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

To learn more, visit the Made in Queensland webpage.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561