The final stage has been completed in meat processor John Dee's $25 million expansion of its Warwick plant, featuring a cold store and automated storage system.
The expansion was made possible via the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and the Queensland Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund and was delivered by Brisbane-based international project delivery company, Wiley.
The expansion includes the installation of a Regional Cold Store and Automated Storage and Retrieval System technology. It is set to reduce operational costs, expand storage capacity, increase product sorting capabilities and secure the future of the local, family-owned business.
The expansion project was delivered in late 2021 and is part of a staged expansion of the facility with a total project cost in excess of $25 million. The staged expansion is expected to create 155 new full-time jobs and 138 indirect new full-time jobs, in addition to supporting existing jobs on-site.
Assistant Minister for Treasury, Charis Mullen, said the Queensland Government is proud to support a nationally significant regional business with its expansion plans that will help position it for its next 80 years of operations and growth.
“The beef industry is one of the mainstays of the state’s economy and through our investment programs, we’re supporting the industry to make the most of its growth opportunities and create more jobs for Queenslanders,” Mullen said.
Wiley representatives were on hand as the appointed design-build partners to celebrate and congratulate SDRC and John Dee on the opening of their new facility.
Wiley’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Barron said the company was delighted to deliver this expansion.
“This has come about in partnership with local suppliers and stakeholders and will see significant long-term value created for John Dee. With our extensive experience delivering meat processing facilities, we were able to bring industry-leading technology to the project that makes this cold store one of the best in Australia.”
John Dee CEO Warren Stiff said that the opening celebrated the conclusion of a project that was five years in the making.
“This state-of-the-art facility allows us to store, retrieve and consign Australia’s best beef brands direct from John Dee to the World’s most discerning customers. The project also allows us to significantly expand our processing numbers and provide further employment opportunities on the Southern Downs long into the future. We thank all of those involved at all levels of the project over the past 5 years,” Stiff said.
