Funding provides big opportunities for smallgoods maker

A Gold Coast smallgoods manufacturer has received $150,000 in State Government funding to help produce a new bacon and cheese product destined for use in large retail bakeries and fast food chains throughout Australia and overseas.

Industry Minister Desley Boyle today announced Gotzinger Smallgoods at Yatala had received the funding under the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives Scheme.

Ms Boyle said the firm would use the funding to purchase and test equipment, develop proper procedures to meet international standards, implement a marketing plan, set up facilities and train staff.

“The project will involve producing an innovative pre-mixed blend of cheese gel and bacon, known as the ‘puck’, for use in bakeries and fast food chains,” she said.

“This recently patented product follows recent trends in the food processing industry for pre-prepared, less labour-intensive processes which produce lower waste and reduce the risk of cross contamination.”

Gotzinger Smallgoods chairman Antony van der Drift said the company would purchase an additional factory at Yatala to produce the premixed ‘puck’.

“Our new factory will feature modified German engineered machinery, new to Australia,” he said.

“Overall, the company’s plans for expansion will cost $3.2 million and is expected to increase sales by $15 million after the first year.”

Mr van der Drift said Gotzinger Smallgoods has just finalised an exclusive agreement with an international producer to distribute its new product.

“This confidential agreement is a major opportunity for our company and supply chain partners to enter major international distribution networks,” he said.

Mr van der Drift and his family have been involved in smallgoods manufacturing for more than a century, first in Germany and Austria and now in Queensland.

“We employ 40 staff and our products are available in supermarkets, delicatessens, butchers and fruits markets throughout Queensland, interstate and overseas,” he said.

Minister Boyle said the innovation showed by Gotzinger Smallgoods mirrored the growing importance of the State’s food processing industry to the Queensland economy.

“The State Government has identified food processing as a priority industry and developed an action plan to help grow this industry,” she said.

“This plan is focussed on helping more companies to develop export orientated, innovative food products.”

Applications for funding under the next round of the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives Scheme close on 3 October. For more information go to www.industry.qld.gov.au/incentives

16 September 2008

Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005