HORSHAM export hay processing company Johnson Asahi will relocate to the Wimmera Intermodel Freight Terminal.
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Johnson Asahi will become the first business to relocate to the terminal precinct on Freight Terminal Road.
Johnson Asahi director Mark Johnson said stage one of the development would start soon with three major hay storage sheds and a weighbridge to be erected in advance of this hay season.
“We’re aiming to start stage one as soon as possible and have started planning for stage two, a processing factory, to be built within three years,” he said.
“The new developments will potentially increase the need for people additional to the 30 already employed, which is very positive for the business and the region.”
“We are very proud of our 23-year history in Horsham and will continue to work with growers in the region to further expand our production and storage capacity.”
Horsham council’s planning and economic director Angela Murphy said council had a rich and productive history with Johnson’s.
“Twenty-three years ago council and Johnson Asahi worked together to set up the factory in Plumpton Road,” she said.
“We’re looking forward to working with the company again to relocate it to the WIFT precinct to improve freight efficiencies and allow for company expansion.
“Johnson Asahi will be investing about $8 million in the project, which provides a huge economic benefit to the region.
“We’re very happy to see this going ahead and look forward to continuing to assist in the transition.”
Johnson Asahi has been exporting oaten hay to Japan for more than 23 years and now exports more than 100,000 million tonnes of hay and straw annually from the Wimmera, valued at about $25 million.
