AN extra 50 jobs will be created at Thomas Foods International’s Lobethal plant as part of a $5.5 million project.
The plant will be expanded, including the increase of the site’s freezing capability, to allow for the transfer of the jobs.
This is in addition to 340 jobs announced recently by TFI, following the fire at its Murray Bridge plant.
Among the changes will be the installation of an extra freezing plate capable of handling 3000 cartons a day, helping to boost processing capacity at the Lobethal site.
TFI anticipates the expansion would be completed within 30 weeks.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has also arranged conditional approval to allow B-double access to the site.
TFI chief executive officer Darren Thomas said this was a great step.
“Ever since the fire, TFI’s workforce has been our focus and expanding our freezing capacity at Lobethal will help us to create more jobs at the site,” he said.
The $5.5m project will also include $1.38m from the state government, through the regional development fund.
Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said the grant would help TFI remove one of its most significant production barriers at the site – not enough freezer capacity.
“I have been working closely with Thomas Foods ever since the devastating fire at Murray Bridge, and this grant is another level of support we are happy to be able to offer,” he said.
“By boosting freezing capacity and therefore production at the Lobethal site we can ensure another 50 jobs can be retained at the company.”
The state government had previously established a TFI fire coordination taskforce to assist with recovery options.
Among the assistance this has brought has been the installation of increased water treatment and sewerage to service the Lobethal site, and support for a bus to transport workers from Murray Bridge to Lobethal.
“We are reassured by the support being offered to our workers as industry, government and local communities join TFI in a united approach,” Mr Thomas said.
A Community Information Centre is also based at the RDA Murraylands and Riverland office in Murray Bridge, and is providing counselling, advice and staff information.
