GUNDAGAI Meat Processors has launched a $30 million expansion project which it says will lead to a 40 percent in annual production capacity, creating 76 new full-time jobs over the next five years.

The development will put GMP at the cutting edge of lamb processing in Australia, including utilisation of the latest technology while meeting the ever-increasing compliance demands of the industry.

The family-owned and operated NSW meat processing business operates exclusively under a fee-for-service arrangement, providing quality red meat cuts to some of Australia’s largest supermarket retail chains for more than 40 years. The business is one of the largest employers in the Gundagai district.

From an operation initially processing around 100 lambs per week, GMP now processes more than 625,000 lambs annually, and has grown to secure major supply contracts including a 35-year supplier relationship with Coles Supermarkets.

Fabrication area at the GMP lamb plant at Gundagai

Working collaboratively with consultant engineers Wiley, GMP’s development objectives are to replace aging infrastructure at the facility while increasing production, and ensuring compliance with customer requirements for export as well as key client, Coles Supermarkets.

The delivery stage of the project will touch almost every area of the meat processing facility, from the lairage area to the slaughter floor, offal areas, chillers, loadout, administration and amenities.

Thorough planning was crucial to ensure there was no loss in production during the construction phase. This will be achieved by a staged process and out-of-hours works during delivery.

Chief executive Will Barton said the project marked another important milestone for the GMP business, owners the Barton family, hardworking employees and for the community of Gundagai.

“The investment will create 76 new jobs, boost local spending by an estimated $3 million during the construction phase alone and generate ongoing stimulus to the local economy, estimated to be in excess of $150 million per year,” he said.

Pictured from left, during the project launch were David Burton Bradley, Ms Hodgkinson, GMP chief executive Will Barton, and Tom Wiley and Ken Coppard from Wiley

Wiley managing director, Tom Wiley, said GMP would be implementing new technology which would take the plant well into the future.

“The facility will have full traceability of the lamb carcase, executed and tracked with RFID tags. Provisions have also been made for future x-ray (DEXA) installation in the facility which will enable GMP to understand the supply chain even further with yield insights,” he said.

“Wiley is looking forward to creating a world-class facility enabling the Barton family to continue being a key player in the Gundagai meat industry for years to come,” he said.