Re: VIC - UBA to expand on rail, BMM

[taliesin@chariot.net.au (Taliesin Walker)]

Oh well, guess what my kitty is getting for dinner.

On Sun, 3 Dec 2000 18:19:01 +1100, "Michael" <michael@bitsnpcs.com.au>
wrote:

>Uncle Ben's plans $45m upgrade
>2 December 2000 Border Mail.
>
>UNCLE Ben's Australia yesterday announced it would go ahead with a $45
>million upgrade that could create 60 new jobs.
>
>General manager Mr Bob Kennedy praised the Federal Government for agreeing
>to put $20 million into the rail relocation and new freight depot.
>
>Uncle Ben's will extend its buildings over the present rail line and
>redevelop a substantial part of its petfood factory, which employs 800
>people.
>
>The work should take three years, providing a boost to the Albury-Wodonga
>building industry.
>
>As well as increasing production, Uncle Ben's plans a massive shift of its
>freight output from road to rail.
>
>Mr Kennedy told Mr John Anderson that the present line into Uncle Ben's was
>uneconomic because it allowed only four wagons to be loaded at one time, and
>these had to be shunted in and out on to the main rail line.
>
>As a result, the factory sent out only 19,000 tonnes of petfood a year by
>rail, but the plan was to increase this to 180,000 tonnes a year.
>
>"We can now take that spur line out of the centre of the plant and renovate
>the entire front end," Mr Kennedy said.
>
>"We will be able to invest about $45 million in new plant and equipment that
>will further position our brands of Pal and Whiskas for a tremendous future.
>
>"We will now be able to employ probably another 60 associates (employees)."
>
>Mr Kennedy said the enlarged Uncle Ben's would be able to raise its exports
>to more than $200 million, up $35 million.
>
>"It means this site probably has a life of another 25 to 30 years.
>
>"As far as we are concerned, the future looks tremendous."
>
>Investment Albury-Wodonga chiefs and other business leaders welcomed
>yesterday's news of the rail relocation and Uncle Ben's expansion.
>
>Mr Gary Zauner, of Zauner Construction, said it would be a big boost for
>economic development.
>
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