Hilton Foods to open new Australian facility
The $280m facility is expected to be in full production in 2020 and will utilise state-of-the-art environmental measures including a solar installation that will generate 2800MWh per annum, providing about 50% of the site’s total energy use. Heat will also be harnessed from the facility’s refrigeration compressors, with an automated heat recovery system that will see 100,000l of water heated per day, saving 170MWh of energy a year.
“This is one of the most innovative facilities of its kind in the world and a real showpiece of advanced food manufacturing in Queensland,” said Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick. “Workers will operate robotics and man 23 state-of-the-art production lines to provide packaged meat and vegan products to Woolworths supermarkets locally and interstate.
“Brisbane’s central location, excellent transport network and Queensland’s highly trained workforce were all factors in HFA’s decision to bring their operations to Heathwood.”
Minister for Environment and Member for Algester Leeanne Enoch hailed the site’s environmental features.
“It will boast the second largest rooftop photovoltaic solar installation in Australia, consisting of 6000 solar panels,” she said. “This facility is not only setting new sustainable building standards but is bringing jobs to our region with potential for more, which is fantastic.”
Hilton Foods Australia CEO Pat McEntee said: “We are proud to be joining the local community in Heathwood and contributing to economic growth with new employment opportunities and service contracts. We value our partnership with Woolworths and look forward to assisting in developing a faster and fresher supply of high-quality meat and value-added products.
“We also wish to acknowledge and thank both Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government for their support in commissioning our Heathwood site.”
