Hilton Foods Australia opens $190m meat production facility

Hilton Foods Australia has unveiled a AUD 280 million ($190.3 million) meat production facility in Heathwood, Queensland.

The investment, which is underpinned by Hilton’s long-term national supply partnership with supermarket chain Woolworths, will see the facility in the outskirts of Brisbane produce fresh meat products for more than 450 Woolworths stores in Australia.

Woolworths said the technology at the plant is “set to drive a step change in consistency and quality of fresh red meat” at its stores, as well as improve stock availability across more hours of trade for shoppers.

“We are proud to be joining the local community in Heathwood and contributing to economic growth with new employment opportunities and service contracts,” said Hilton Foods Australia CEO Pat McEntee.

“We value our partnership with Woolworths and look forward to assisting in developing a faster and fresher supply of high-quality meat and value-added products.”

Heathwood will deliver more than 1,500 tonnes of fresh red meat to Woolworths stores each week, complementing Hilton Foods Australia’s existing meat processing facilities in Melbourne and Perth.

The Heathwood facility features Australia’s second-largest rooftop photovoltaic solar installation, which will provide around 50% of the site’s energy needs.

Woolworths director of fresh food Paul Harker said: “It’s really pleasing to see our long-term supply relationship with Hilton Foods Australia underpin this important new investment and job creation in Queensland.

“We’re fortunate to source our fresh meat from the best Australian producers, and it’s important we uphold the quality of their product from paddock to plate.

“The opening of this state-of-the-art facility in Heathwood will help us deliver a consistently great fresh meat offer.”

The news comes after Hilton Food Group and Woolworths extended their meat supply agreement last year.