Ridley Corporations new extrusion plant located in Westbury, Tasmania designed and delivered by Wiley, is advancing on schedule with the main structure now beginning to take shape. This significant milestone is a key success for the project team and its focus to deliver the state of the art facility for Tasmania and Ridley.
Ground services, bulk earth and civil works have all been completed, with equipment deliveries from local and overseas suppliers now underway. Further construction and equipment installation will take place over the remainder of the year, with commissioning expected in the first half of 2019.
Ridley Corporation CEO Tim Hart commented “we are delighted with the progress of the build and it is fantastic to see this state of the art facility taking shape. We are looking forward to commissioning and supplying our customers with quality nutrition solutions made using the latest technology.”
Recruitment plans are now being finalized with locally based operators, maintenance, warehouse and administration roles to be advertised shortly.
The new facility will manufacture and supply feed primarily to the Salmonid industry in Australia and New Zealand, as well as other aquaculture and extruded feed users on the mainland.
Wiley Senior Project Manager, Logan Ashmole said, “We are now six months into the delivery of this design and build Salmon Feed Mill project for Ridley and we are seeing significant progress. We have been encouraged by the local contractor involvement and their commitment to the project’s success. Our values align with Ridley’s own which makes for an innovative and collaborative partnership that we really enjoy.”
Ridley received $2 million in grant funding from the Tasmanian Government to support the project. Construction of the facility will require approximately 250 contractors, including engineering consultants, civil, structural and electrical services just to name a few. The project will also create approximately 20 full time permanent positions once the mill is complete.
The new facility, strategically located at Westbury, will allow Ridley to continue to grow with customers, and facilitate a consistent and efficient supply chain for the long term sustainable production of aquaculture products.
