Food supplement manufacturer sweetens high-performance production

More local jobs are on the menu for Meadowbrook food manufacturer ATP Science thanks to a $1.5m of funding from the Palaszczuk Government’s $46 million Made in Queensland program.

ATP Science – an innovative food supplement and functional confectionary food manufacturer – has been awarded $1,588,000 from Round 3 of the program to purchase hi-tech production equipment.

Attorney-General and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said the funding announcement would be a huge boost for the local manufacturing industry.

“We know backing our manufacturing industry to grow will mean more jobs for Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Introduction of this world-leading technology is expected to create 33 new local jobs over five years, which is a fantastic outcome for the local community.

“ATP Science will invest more than $3.2 million in advanced, new-to-Australia equipment to enable scale production of their unique and technically complex, low sugar, high-protein functional confectionery (Gummies) food.”

Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said through programs like MiQ the Palaszczuk Government was supporting manufacturers to be more internationally competitive, adopt new innovative processes and technologies and create high-skilled jobs of the future

Mr Butcher said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the Queensland manufacturing sector and its ability to respond to and address supply chain challenges.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the critical role our state’s manufacturing sector will play as we deliver Queensland’s economic plan to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Butcher said.

“Our government is committed to the ongoing transformation of the state’s manufacturing industry as it transitions to advanced manufacturing.”

ATP Science Managing Director Mr Jeff Doidge said the technologically-advanced equipment would increase the company’s ‘Gummies’ manufacturing capacity by close to 8-times.

“We will be able to go from producing 8,000 packets of Gummies per shift to 62,000 packets per shift,” Mr Doidge said.

“This will give us the scope we need to keep up with demand as we enter new markets, such as the fast-moving consumer goods sector, and to target additional export opportunities.

“We are grateful for the support of the Queensland Government in assisting ATP Science to make this new project a reality.”

Made in Queensland complements the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, which sets out a vision for an innovative, sustainable and globally recognised advanced manufacturing sector in Queensland by 2026.

Visit the Made in Queensland website at dsdmip.qld.gov.au/industry/priority-industries/advanced-manufacturing/made-in-qld.html for more information.

ENDS

Media contact: Daniel Lato – 0438 891 158