Embodying its drive, deep ties to the region, and steadfast promise to “protect what matters,” Jamestrong Precision Packaging in Kyabram continues to evolve as one of the company’s six state-of-the-art facilities operated across Australia and New Zealand, experiencing strong growth in its export abalone market, despite heightened global competition in late 2024.
Manufacturing Manager Leonard Voges said, “We’ve had quite a nice upward swing in the local market with our customers, especially in the first half of the year. It’s very positive for us.”
Operating at full capacity, the Kyabram plant produces around 20 million steel cans annually for some of the biggest names in food and nutrition, including Saputo, Bega, Bubs Australia, Southern Canning, and South Africa’s Aquinion. The facility is among the region’s most advanced, featuring a positive-pressure, high-care can-making line, a 6,500m² warehouse with controlled airflow, multi-camera Pressco vision inspection systems, and robotics – all designed to ensure, as Leonard said, “our products going out are of 100 per cent quality.”
Safety is embedded in the plant’s daily operations, with an impressive 17 years without a lost time injury and approximately 1,200 days free of medically treated injuries. Leonard said, “Firstly protecting our people, but also protecting the customers and their customers – that’s the most important thing.”
Sustainability is a key focus at the site. Every can produced is fully recyclable, the plant operates on a 400 kW solar power system, and the team collaborates with universities and regulators to explore greener packaging solutions. “There’s a major swing worldwide regarding sustainability, and we are working very hard to stay in line with these changes.” Leonard said.
Alongside rising production comes expanding opportunity for both people employees and the region. The company has recently welcomed two new trainee operators, both locals, further strengthening its community roots.
Looking ahead, Leonard said,
“We are in a niche market, but we are planning to be around for a long time to come, and we’re not only focused on producing cans but on building a safer, cleaner future for the Goulburn Valley region.”
