THE first commercial quantity of flour has been produced at a newly-commissioned $97 million flour and maize mill owned by GrainCorp and Cargill Australia.
The Allied Mills facility at Picton, NSW, has the capacity to process over 200,000 tonnes of maize and hard and soft wheat a year, using state-of-the-art milling equipment.
GrainCorp, which owns 60 per cent of the mill, and Cargill Australia purchased Allied Mills from Goodman Fielder in 2002 and construction of the new milling complex began in 2006.
GrainCorp managing director Mark Irwin said the business had undergone significant change and focused on cost reduction since the acquisition.
“The commissioning of this new flour and maize mill starts the next phase in our quest to maximise Allied Mills efficiency and customer service,'' Mr Irwin said.
The operating costs at Picton would be significantly lower than those at Summer Hill and Albury, which were being de-commissioned, he said.
Allied Mills managing director Joe Di Leo said the location of the new mill provided a number of product, distribution and raw material receival advantages.
“Allied Mills will be working closely with GrainCorp for accumulation of wheat and the provision of rail transport to the mill.
“We will also be able to provide more efficient service to our flour and maize product customers.
“Unlike our old flour mill at Summer Hill, we will be able to operate road deliveries to customers around the clock from Picton.''
Mr Di Leo said the mill building and wheat silos had been constructed using an innovative continuous concrete pour technique.
This created an interior structure that minimised voids and ledges, which meant improved plant hygiene, he said.
“This is the first time this technique has been used in Australia to build a flour mill,'' Mr Di Leo said.
“Allied Mills is a standard setter in food safety, and the construction of the new mill will allow us to enhance that reputation,'' he said.
