Murray Goulburn nabs Coles cheese contract
The previous contract with Coles was held by Bega Cheese.
Today’s announcement follows the 10-year partnership Murray Goulburn commenced with Coles in 2014 to supply daily pasteurised milk for Coles private label brands in Victoria and New South Wales.
The national cheese contract will generate approximately $91.9m (AU$130m) in additional sales per annum.
Murray Goulburn said that the tender proposal for the cheese contract was enhanced by efficiency gains expected from the investment in building a cut and wrap consumer cheese processing facility at its Cobram cheese plant.
Major investment at new plant
The company has announced plans to invest up to $102.5m (AU$145m) to increase ‘ready-to-serve’ cheese capacity and capabilities at its new Cobram consumer cheese plant.
Murray Goulman managing director, Gary Helou, said, “We are delighted to extend our existing relationship with Coles and its customers to deliver the quality, taste and freshness of cheese made by Australia’s largest dairy farmer co-operative, which is 100% controlled by Australian farmers.
“Ultimately these investments are being made to support our drive to deliver sustainably higher and more stable farmgate prices and returns over the long-term,” Helou added.