MINISTER for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula and local Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale visited the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory last Friday.

The business is being supported by the Government’s Business Competitiveness Program to expand its production capacity and build new viewing areas for visitors, creating 25 new jobs.

The $1.4 million project involves bringing in new machinery that will significantly boost production from 35 tonnes to 550 tonnes of chocolate each year – roughly the same weight as a full Airbus A380 airplane.

This will help the business to meet rising demand for chocolate through wholesale and export sales.

The project will also create more viewing areas for the public to see how the company’s chocolate treats are made, enhancing the experience for visitors which averaged around 170,000 a year prior to the pandemic.

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory is one of 28 small to medium-sized manufacturers across the state to receive a grant from the Business Competitive Program, which aims to improve production and make our manufacturing sector more competitive.

“We are passionate about chocolate and the support from the Victorian Government allows us to share our passion with more people from around the world and treat them to some Phillip Island sweetness,” Philip Island Chocolate Factory Owner Panny Letchumanan said.