WIMMERA export businesses have received a $7.4-million boost that will help create new jobs in the region.
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The State Government announced on Friday that TMR Feed Solutions at Glenlee and PB Seeds at Kalkee would receive $200,000 and $75,000 respectively for new technology to help increase their export sales.
Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the grants would help increase sales by a combined $7.4 million.
TMR Feed Solutions will use the money for a new forage compactor to package total mixed fermentation hay in 30-kilogram bales.
The new baling machine will allow the company to expand its domestic and international markets in countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Delahunty said the grant would help create six new jobs, transition three existing employees to higher value roles and increase export sales by $5 million.
PB Seeds’ grant for new optical sorting technology to help lentil, pea, bean and chickpea production will create two jobs.
The company’s commercial manager Janine Sounness welcomed the money.
“We’re very grateful to the State Government for awarding us this grant,” she said.
“The new technology will improve processing efficiency rates, uniformity and quality assurance.”
“Eight jobs might not seem like a lot but to those eight people, it is.”
- David Jochinke
She said without the grant, the business would not have been able to buy state-of-the-art technology.
“We’ve been wanting to upgrade our sorting technology for a while and the grant has definitely fast-tracked that,” she said.
Ms Sounness said the technology would enable PB Seeds to effectively provide gluten-free products to consumers.
Gluten-free products have been growing in popularity.
“This technology has a high-precision level to ensure there are no impurities,” Ms Sounness said.
She said the grant would increase export sales by $2.4 million and keep PB Seeds strong against its biggest international competitor, Canada.
“It certainly gives you the belief you can achieve these things locally and to invest in things that will increase exports in a smarter way,” she said.
Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president David Jochinke said the grants were a boon for the region.
“It’s a good thing for the Wimmera and it’s a good thing for agriculture, which is so important here,” he said.
“Every job we can maintain is a good thing, whether it be for a young family or a person leaving school.
“Eight jobs might not seem like a lot but to those eight people, it is.”
Mr Jochinke said he hoped PB Seeds and TMR Feed Solutions used the grants wisely.
“These types of initiatives give small businesses the chance to grow and that benefits the region,” he said.
“I hope these businesses will use the grants to maintain level employment and capitalise on investment.”
The companies were among 33 Victorian manufacturers awarded a total of $6.1 million in manufacturing technology grants last week.