McCain Foods Lisarow plant has reduced energy costs by up to 10 percent and saving over $250,000 a year after undertaking a Federal and State Government grant program.
The program started in November 2013 and was completed In October 2014, with a final verification report due by end of April 2015.
McCain Foods Lisarow site manager Hamish Sutton said “without the support of both New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, and Federal Government Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program (CTFFIP) program, we would not have reduced our energy consumption and lowered costs of production.”
Sutton said that the energy saving program was essential and timely and he expects the Lisarow plant to continue to produce around 12,500 tonnes annually.
Sutton said New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW-OEH) agreed to subsidise 70 percent of audits cost of the energy consumption of the Lisarow plant in 2011. The audit report would evaluate the overall energy consumption of the site, and identify the potential areas of energy and cost savings.
The Federal government sponsored Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program (CTFFIP) administered by AusIndustry, provided the remaining 33 percent of the project cost.
The application for the grants was approved and the Funding Agreement for the Implementation of the project signed on 14 July 2013
McCain Foods approved the Energy Saving Project based on business case subsidised by NSW-OEH and the CTIP grant.
McCain Foods Lisarow plant produces 135 dessert and savoury products annually under the Sara Lee and McCain brand for distribution in Australia, and uses 26,400 MWh per year in energy. The plant employs 340 employees.
McCain Foods acquired Kitchens of Sara Lee (KOSL) Australia from Hillshire Brands in February 2013, boosting its consumer offering.