# A Recipe For New Manufacturing Jobs In Melbourne's North

Date: 9 Oct 2026
Released by: Melissa Horne, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing

## MediaRelease.co Summary

The Victorian Government is supporting three food manufacturers in Melbourne's north, That's Amore Cheese in Thomastown, Mr. Pitta in Campbellfield and Picnic Foods in Coolaroo, to expand production, Industry Minister Melissa Horne announced. The companies are investing a combined $21.6 million and will create almost 50 local jobs. The projects include new cold storage, automation, pastry lines and research and development facilities aimed at boosting exports.

## Original release

Labor is backing food manufacturers in Melbourne’s north to expand production and create almost 50 local jobs. Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Melissa Horne today announced support for three leading Victorian food manufacturers, including That’s Amore Cheese, Mr. Pitta and Picnic Foods. Together, these manufacturers are investing a combined $21.6 million in Melbourne’s north, creating new local jobs in the state’s nation-leading manufacturing sector. The projects will strengthen Victoria’s manufacturing industry by improving local capability, increasing export production and supporting more sustainable practices. Award-winning cheese producer That’s Amore Cheese will expand its Thomastown facility – boosting production and export capabilities. The expansion will include increased cold storage, new automation technologies, and a new on-site research and development laboratory. Fourth-generation family-owned business Mr. Pitta will establish a new Australian-first manufacturing facility in Campbellfield. The facility will provide access to advanced manufacturing equipment and energy-efficient technology that will help the company increase production and enter new export markets. Family-owned Picnic Foods in Coolaroo will expand its manufacturing facility to support domestic and export growth. The expansion will include new advanced pastry manufacturing equipment, production lines and an R&D kitchen. Victoria has Australia's largest manufacturing workforce. The sector contributes $37.4 billion to the economy. It generates more than $29 billion in annual exports and employs around 260,000 people. The state's food and fibre sector also continues to lead tinhe nation, with exports reaching a record $22.1 billion in 2024-25, accounting for 28 per cent of Australia's total food and fibre exports. Labor’s $150 million Victorian Investment Fund is helping businesses grow, create jobs, boost exports. Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Melissa Horne “We’re supporting manufacturing businesses in Melbourne’s north to expand because it means more local jobs, more innovation and more Victorian-made products on shelves across the country and the world.” “Our state’s manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the economy – driving growth, productivity and prosperity, while building a more competitive economy for years to come.” Quote attributable to Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward “Labor is backing Mr Pitta and Picnic Foods to grow right here in Melbourne’s north, creating more opportunities for locals to find work close to home.” Quote attributable to Member for Greenvale Iwan Walters “From family recipes to new export markets, this investment will help local manufacturers like Mr Pitta and Sahara Dairy get more Victorian-made food onto tables around the world.” Quote attributable to Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny “That’s Amore Cheese is a Thomastown success story, and this expansion will create new local jobs, better job security and opportunity to develop new products and grow production.” Quote attributable to That’s Amore Chief Executive Office Marco Alghisi “This support is about more than machinery; it's an investment in the people of Thomastown. Giorgio Linguanti has always believed quality and heritage don't have to come at the expense of growth, and it's our whole team, past and present, that proves it every day. We're deeply grateful to the Victorian Government for believing in that vision too.” Quote attributable to Mr Pitta Managing Director Angelo Michailidis “The support from the Victorian Government will allow Mr. Pitta to expand our capabilities through advanced manufacturing, creating new jobs and keeping skilled employment here in Victoria. It will support the growth of our business, strengthen our local operations to provide our products around the country, and help us build a more efficient and sustainable future.” Quote attributable to Picnic Foods Pty Ltd Director Ibrahim Ozdemir “The establishment of Sahara Gourmet Bakehouse in Coolaroo marks an exciting new chapter. Supported by the Victorian Government, our $2.53 million investment will bring together new baking lines, automated equipment, cold storage and robotic packing, combining traditional food expertise with modern manufacturing technology. This project will create 15 new full-time equivalent jobs while retaining 55 existing positions. It will increase our production capacity, improve efficiency and safety, and maintain the consistent quality our customers expect.”

## Key details

- Author/spokesperson: Melissa Horne, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing
- Published: 9 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia
- Subject country/region: Victoria (Australia)
- Original source: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/recipe-new-manufacturing-jobs-melbournes-north
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr01836-a-recipe-for-new-manufacturing-jobs-in-melbournes-north-09102026.html

Original source: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/recipe-new-manufacturing-jobs-melbournes-north
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/au/mr01836-a-recipe-for-new-manufacturing-jobs-in-melbournes-north-09102026.html