Queensland to fund Bundaberg Brewed Drinks upgrade in Australia

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks will be upgrading its brewing, bottling and warehousing systems using funding offered by the Queensland Government.

Around A$575,800 ($394,019) will be available from the second round of the government’s A$46m ($31m) Made in Queensland (MIQ) grants programme.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is a family owned company that has been producing and distributing soft drinks to 56 countries worldwide.

Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said that the MIQ’s grant would help the company optimise its current brewing facility.

Dick further added: “The company is already one of the region’s largest employers. This funding will enable Bundaberg Brewed Drinks to add up to 40 new jobs to the existing workforce of more than 220 staff.

“These improvements will support Bundaberg Brewed Drinks’ transformation into a super brewery and enable further expansion to meet global demand.”

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean said: “We live by the rule, if it’s worth brewing, it’s worth brewing well, so we’re always looking for ways that innovation and better manufacturing processes can complement our traditional brewing methods.

“The MIQ funding will assist us to optimise our equipment and processes, improving the way we continue to produce great tasting brewed soft-drinks.

“Round 1 and Round 2 MIQ funding is supporting 78 advanced manufacturing projects across the state, with around 40% of these located in regional Queensland. These projects will generate more than 1,000 new jobs and approximately $101m in private sector investment.”

McLean further added that the MiQ funding would assist the company to continue to improve production systems.