Dubbo will become the brioche capital of Australia, with a local bakery set to expand its operations thanks to financial support from the NSW Government.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said an $850,000 grant will help Earlyrise Baking Co. embark on a $4.3 million expansion that will transform its existing manufacturing facility in Dubbo and see significant innovative technology and equipment upgrades to its sliced bread and brioche production plants.
The expansion is set to create 45 full-time equivalent jobs in the region and is possible thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.
It will involve the procurement of new equipment, as well as building modifications, enabling the company to almost double its daily output.
“Earlyrise Baking Co. is a fourth-generation, family-owned bakery whose products are crafted by dedicated pastry cooks and bakers, and this grant will boost its production capabilities,” Mr Saunders said.
“The upgraded production line will allow the company to manufacture more high-quality products for a growing market.
“A lot of brioche sold in supermarkets is imported from overseas or interstate, so to have it being created at this level in our own backyard will be a great thing.”
Earlyrise Baking Co. managing director Robert Stevenson said the funding will allow the organisation to stay true to its regional roots.
“While other bread manufacturers have closed regional bakeries, we’ve been baking since 1918 and have decided to reinvest in our business,” Mr Stevenson said.
“We got to the point where we needed to take the next step, and we anticipate our current workforce of 90 will increase by about 50 per cent as a result of this project.”
“This grant will help us grow the business and we are appreciative of the opportunity the NSW Government has given us to get our Today’s and Boundary Road brands of sliced bread, and our brioche products, on the shelves of more supermarkets and into the homes of more Australian people.”