Orora’s $110m investment in expanding can manufacturing capability at its Dandenong and Ballarat plants was part-funded by a grant from the Victorian Government, whose ministers toured the new multi-size can facility this week.
Orora, one of the largest beverage packaging manufacturers in Australia, has pursued an aggressive expansion strategy for cans, a division which saw 10 per cent growth for the Australasian business in the last financial year, and has recorded a CAGR across the past five years of 6.5 per cent. Orora saw significant growth in cans for craft beers, energy drinks, and carbonated drinks for varying can sizes from slim and sleek 200ml to classic 500ml.
In Victoria, a $30m can ends capacity growth project was completed in March at the company’s Ballarat site, and installation of a new $80m multi-size cans line at the Dandenong site was completed in June. Orora has also increased capacity and warehousing for its production at its Ballarat facility.
Orora’s expansion is creating 18 new jobs and boosting the state’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, according to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Manufacturing Sovereignty Ben Carroll, who visited Orora Beverage’s Dandenong facility this week.
“We’re backing companies like Orora to expand, become more innovative and create jobs because we’re Australia’s advanced manufacturing state,” Minister Carroll said.
Accompanying Minister Carroll on the tour was Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, who said, “Orora’s decision to expand its footprint right here in Dandenong demonstrates that we are a key hub for advanced manufacturing in the state.”
The Victorian Government is supporting advanced manufacturers to innovate, build sovereign capabilities and take advantage of new opportunities through initiatives including the $15 million Made in Victoria – Industry R&D Infrastructure Fund and the $20 million Manufacturing and Industry Sovereignty Fund.
President of Orora Beverage, Simon Bromell, added, “We’re proud of the contribution we make to the local economy as a responsible manufacturer and employer in the local community. We welcome the Victorian Government’s support for Orora’s important cans capacity expansion projects.”
Construction has also commenced on a new $85m multi-size can line at Orora's Revesby facility, due for commissioning in the second half of 2025.
Overall, Orora is currently investing some $195m in its cans business, which includes $14m on the world's first Israeli-developed Velox digital can printing line. In July, the Orora Beverage business launched its innovative Helio by Orora offering, a first-to-market can decoration and high-speed digital printing solution, providing customers with the benefit of fast turnaround and smaller quantity print runs suited to new products and promotional campaigns. The new digital print line will produce 100 million units a year when fully operational. It is scheduled to come on stream in 2024, with a planned 35 million units in the first year.
