Australia: International Matting Company Australia expands its Geelong Malting Plant
International Malting Company Australia (IMCA) announced on May 31 its intention to increase the production capacity of its Geelong, Victoria, malting plant by 75,000 mt to give an annual production of 150,000 mt. The new capacity is scheduled to be in production by January 2007 subject to approval by regulatory authorities and final contract negotiations.
Mr Ian Maccan, Managing Director IMCA said, “This expansion gives us the critical mass to be a significant player in both Australian and key export malt markets in Asia. Our business continues to grow in Asia reflecting the increasing consumption of beer within the region.
Our customers are setting high standards in relation to malt quality and hygiene and this plant will be designed to ensure that these important parameters are met,” he said.
International Malting Company LLC (IMC), the parent company of IMCA, established the Australian operation in 1998. The malting’s is located close to the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s busiest container port and in close proximity to some of Australia’s best malting barley growing regions.
Mr Patrick Lesaifre, President, IMC commented, “This decision to expand Geelong reconfirms our commitment to Australia and our intention to grow the business in this region.
Our new malting plant in Great Falls, Montana, USA will commence production later this year. This expansion and now our further investment at Geelong will consolidate our position in the global malting industry.
These are very exciting times for the group and the continued consolidation in the brewing industry means that it is imperative that we continue to be competitive whilst ensuring premium malt quality,” said Mr Lesaffre.
International Malting Company is the fifth largest malt manufacturer in the world with an annual capacity of over 900,000mt. The company is completing the construction of a new 180,000mt/yr malting plant at Great Falls, Montana, USA which will be operational July 2005.
Malting operations are located at Lille, France; Milwaukee, Chicago, Winona, & Great Falls, USA; Winnipeg, Canada; Marton, New Zealand and Geelong, Australia.
Torna
E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .
