Room to Grow in Sunshine Sugar Warehouse
Built for more than 5000 tonnes of Sunshine Sugar goods and up to 60 new employees, a $9.5 million storage and distribution facility at the Manildra Harwood Sugars mill and refinery is now fully operational, bringing our premium products to market more efficiently and cost-effectively.
The warehouse features a dual roller door system with a state-of-the-art, fast-acting emergency door required for a modern food-grade facility.
Complemented by large expanses of covered truck bays and modern driver amenities, the facility is also a hit with transport operators.
Sunshine Sugar CEO Chris Connors said the logistical investment formed part of the strategic business plan.
“At the end of the day, we know we can’t stay the same as we’ve been in the past – we need to diversify and this is part of our diversification program,” Mr Connors said.
With expansion of the Sunshine Sugar product range set to broaden consumer appeal, Mr Connors said the newly constructed facility would be put to good use.
With a direct workforce of about 400 people, Sunshine Sugar is one of largest employers in the NSW Northern Rivers region, with a direct workforce of about 400 people.
Mr Connors said more than 60 additional, ongoing local jobs were anticipated in the warehouse project supported by the Australian Government National Stronger Regions Fund, which contributed about half the cost of construction including new bulk sugar storage and materials handling systems in the sugar production facility.
Primary contractors working on the project since April 2017 included local earthworks company Lewis Quarry and national construction and engineering firm Ahrens.