News

Proteco Oils, a locally owned and operated producer of nut oils and pastes, and the largest manufacturer of macadamia oil in the world, has recently commenced the first stage of a $24 million expansion project in Kingaroy.

With support from all levels of government, the project will see the construction of a new state-of-the-art processing facility to cater for the business’s projected 150% future growth.

A first of its kind in Australia, the facility will be designed with high-level automation to reduce energy use and processing waste and increase efficiencies. Where possible, operators will be removed from the factory floor and into control rooms to provide greater safety and to optimise real-time data during production.

Proteco Managing Director, Josh Gadischke, said that while COVID-19 is causing some short-term disruptions, construction commenced in April, with the facility set to open at the end of the year.

“This project has been a long time coming, and given the current economic environment, we are confident the construction can be completed in a safe manner, while providing a significant economic boost for the region,” Josh said.

“The facility will be a showcase of the most innovative technology in the food processing industry. This will allow for increased production throughput, energy efficiencies, and world standard BRC (British Retail Consortium) accreditation. This is paramount to maintain competitiveness within a global market.”

“We will be implementing computer monitoring of every single processing function, which allows us to optimise even the smallest parts of the process to improve yields. Our energy use will decrease by an estimated 11% per tonne of raw material and processing waste is set to fall by as much as 85%, which is critical to maintaining global competitiveness,” Josh said.

“Wherever possible, we will be engaging trades, services and suppliers from the South Burnett to complete the construction. We will also be upskilling 10 of our 38 staff members in advanced manufacturing and creating eight new jobs to assist in the new facility once it opens.”

As a fourth generation Kingaroy local, Josh says the business is well located in the South Burnett. 

“We are surrounded by macadamia growers and also have links to walnut and almond growing regions. All our ingredients are sourced within Australia.”

Proteco Oils manufactures its own brand of oils and peanut butters – Pressed Purity oils and Purely Nuts peanut butters – which are stocked in Coles and Woolworths across the country. It also has several new consumer products under development. 

Proteco exports nut oils to Europe and Asia, with Europe favouring wholesale specialty oils for use in cosmetics, and Asia selling Proteco’s nut oil brand in the retail environment. Proteco Oils are now present in 15 countries worldwide.  

South Burnett Regional Council’s CEO, Mark Pitt said, “The project will strengthen the manufacturing industry in the region and boost the food processing and advanced manufacturing credentials of the South Burnett. In these challenging times, we expect the project to have a wide-reaching impact on the local economy, provide new job opportunities for locals and have a positive impact on Australian tree nut growers.”

For further information on Proteco Oils, please visit www.proteco.com.au