16 Mar 2010 --- Vitasoy Australia, a joint venture between National Foods Ltd and Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd, intends to start construction on an expansion of its Wodonga facility later this year, with a view to doubling production capacity by mid-2011.

General Manager Vitasoy Australia Nicolas Georges said the investment is a major vote of confidence in Wodonga as the site of the company’s soy milk production.

“We have experienced double-digit growth over the last five years and we are simply outgrowing our current facility,” Mr Georges said.

“Wodonga has been a great location for us over the ten years we’ve been here.  By adding a new production line to our existing site we will be setting ourselves up for many more years of growth in the region. This is all about investing now for future growth as we continue to drive up consumer demand for our products.”

The expansion will entail increasing the size of the existing Baranduda Drive factory and warehouse to accommodate a new production line.

 “We currently employ 70 people at our site. Initially our expanded facility will allow us to take on another shift of around five people mid next year and there will obviously be local employment in the construction phase,” Mr Georges said.

“Our strong growth is an outcome of increased popularity of soy milk beverages and innovation. We have launched new products, such as Soy Milky and Vitasoy Ricemilk and Vitasoy Oatmilk products, that have really expanded our market.”

Vitasoy’s share of Australia’s soy and rice milk market has grown from 18% in 2004 to almost 40% in February 2010.