SA hall-of-famer unveils $120m chocolate factory
One of South Australia’s leading chocolate makers has today officially opened its new production, warehouse and fulfilment facility at Salisbury South. See the photos and watch the video.
Haigh’s today opened its 18,000sqm facility at Salisbury South; a milestone moment for the 110-year-old South Australian business.
The facility increases Haigh’s production capacity from 1100 tonnes to 2000 tonnes of chocolate per year, to fulfil its 22 retail and online stores.
The $120 million facility is the company’s biggest investment, said CEO Peter Millard – the company’s first CEO in its history outside of the family.
“The Salisbury South Complex is a significant physical manifestation of a company-wide investment in people, systems and capabilities over the last four years,” Millard said.
“Today’s opening recognises the completion of our chocolate capacity building phase, the continuing growth of our retail network in the eastern states and the meeting of increasing demand of our chocolate.”
The facility has 1.7km of chocolate delivery pipes, more than 1000 solar panels, and can accommodate up to 400 employees.
Haigh’s expects 100 new jobs across production, warehousing and fulfilment will be created within the next five years.
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It follows the opening of Haigh’s newest store at Broadway in Sydney two weeks ago – another major moment for Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate maker.
“In the last five months alone, we celebrated our 100-year anniversary, opened our seventh store in Sydney and appointed a new CEO, it’s been an exciting time for the business and I am so proud to see the love for our chocolates continue to span all generations,” owner Alister Haigh said.
Haigh stepped down as CEO earlier this year after 30 years at the helm, but the company remains family-owned. He remains on the board alongside fourth-generation family members Simon Haigh and Sara Fitzgerald.
Haigh’s was inducted into the Food South Australia Hall of Fame in 2012.
