South Australian ice cream firm Golden North is set to undertake more than a $1 million worth of refrigeration improvements to accommodate expansion plans aimed at breaking into the southeast Asian market.
The company, which has its production facility at Laura, north of Adelaide, will spend $3 million to add new product lines and export sales.
The expansion is partly funded by Low Carbon Australia, which was set up by the federal government to help the private sector transition to a low carbon economy. Grants are funded by revenue from carbon pricing.
Low Carbon Australia's CEO Meg McDonald said the expansion means the company can take advantage of recent growth within the ice cream manufacturing industry to further strengthen its market position.
Golden North's manufacturing plant currently employs 50 people and produces 9.3 million litres of ice cream each year.
General manager Peter Adamo said the planned refrigeration upgrades would halve the time taken to harden ice cream, allowing the company to increase production capacity.
"This will enable us to pursue new business opportunities and help us create more local jobs," he said.
"Our vision is to be a premium quality ice cream company competing in the national and international arenas."
The refrigeration improvements will increase Golden North's compressor plant capacity by 43 per cent while reducing its carbon intensity by 47 per cent.
