Howlong's Staughton Group expansion to create more than 180 jobs from NSW government grant

A $3.72 million grant will allow the manufacturer to build a new production facility and complete major plant modifications under the state's Regional Job Creation Fund.

The upgrades are set to increase Staughton Group's production capacity from 6000 megatonnes to up to 25,000 megatonnes of pet food products, which include raw meats and dried food.

Managing director Edward Staughton said the group had had a steep growth pattern in recent years. "This is a program that will see us really double down on this site and really take us to the next level of what we can be on the global stage for pet food manufacturing and ingredients supply," Mr Staughton said.

"We're committing to a close to $20 million further investment in the site, of which this $3.72 million will contribute towards.

"It's a really exciting opportunity to build a state-of-the-art wild game processing facility for export into the US markets and taking undervalued pests, destructive ecosystem venison, and really creating what is a superb premium product into the export market.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"We'll be expanding our retail production capabilities and bringing new opportunities of further innovation and product development.

"We will be installing new collection systems around the country to expand our network of abattoir partners. (There will be) more opportunity for the abattoirs to pass back value down the chain to the farmers."

Member for Albury Justin Clancy said the facility was something people would expect to see in Sydney or Melbourne.

"To know this is an organisation that values the community around it is something that's pretty important," he said.

"There's been talk about the decline of manufacturing and things like that, and this is the renaissance in that regard.

"Something that would be left in the paddock, or left in the bush is now actually going to be a resource."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: