Jervois dairy factory expansion will create 40 jobs

More than 40 jobs will be created as the owners of Jervois’ dairy factory ramp up their production of lactoferrin.

The state government has announced it will invest $2 million in the Beston Global Food Company’s $9.5 million expansion, which the company had flagged in July.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said regional South Australia had been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and would be key to the state's economic recovery.

“The (Steven) Marshall Liberal government is building what matters to back businesses to create jobs,” he said.

“This crucial investment in shovel-ready projects will … provide vital economic growth in the wake of the challenges posed by 2020.”

Beston plans to quadruple its production of lactoferrin, a protein extracted during the cheesemaking process and sold as a neutraceutical product capable of boosting the immune system.

Its production capacity, currently about three tonnes per year, will increase to 12T once the expansion is complete, and potentially 20T further down the track.

The increased capacity will grow Beston’s revenue by $6 million to $12 million per year.

The upgrade is expected to be completed in March under the guidance of operations and supply chain general manager Frank Baldi, who joined the company in October after coming across from a Victorian lactoferrin producer.

Beston is in the process of launching its own therapeutic mineral water, branded as Immune+, and developing a line of lactoferrin capsules and other products.

The Jervois factory has, until now, been better know for producing award-winning mozzarella cheese.

• More information: bestonglobalfoods.com.au.

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