Bendigo poultry and craft foods business Moira Mac's will relocate its production to Western Australia in 12 months as it expands its operation.
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Up to 110 employees will be affected by the move with Moira Mac's giving staff the opportunity to relocate to the WA facility in Jandakot and keep their job.
When Heller's purchased Canon Foods Services in WA, it gave Moira Mac's an opportunity to grow its brand by integrating production onto one site.
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It is believed Canon Foods' Jandakot site will allow room for expansion and accommodate Moira Macs operations, ensuring the Moira Macs product range and brand can continue to grow and evolve.
The decision will mean the closure of the Moira Mac's Bendigo operations.
Hellers is working through relocation packages, including resettlement assistance, with its 110 Moira Mac's employees.
Hellers chief executive Christine Cash said the company has spent 18 months considering options to grow Moira Mac's.
"We have looked at a number of different plans to de-bottleneck operations, however our current Bendigo manufacturing site is constrained by both capacity and capability," Ms Cash said.
The commissioning of the Jandakot site and relocation is expected to happen in nine to 12 months.
In the meantime, focus will remain on day-to-day operations.
Moira Mac's general manager Shannon Simpson said he knew the closure would be devastating to employees.
"We will do everything we can to support our staff during this difficult time," he said.
"This decision was not made lightly, and our focus remains on supporting them throughout this period in the best way we possibly can.
"The recent acquisition of Canon Foods has provided not only a strong product portfolio synergy, but also an opportunity to deliver more efficient operations.
"It also creates a modern facility to continue producing the Moira Macs products our customers know and love."
Moira Mac's began in Bendigo in 1983. By 1987, its products were available interstate before the company moved to a larger factory in the Mayfair Estate in 1995.
In 2013, it expanded again to create 20 new jobs.
Last year the company joined the New Zealand small goods organisation Heller's.
Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
