Haigh’s Chocolate has released designs of the company’s $130 million Salisbury South manufacturing facility.

Works are set to begin in late December, 2023 on the project, which marks the largest infrastructure investment in the history of the family-owned business.

Haigh’s Chocolates chief executive officer Alison Haigh said the project also represented a significant milestone for Haigh’s, as it will allow the company’s chocolate production capacity double.

“…allowing us to meet increased demand and interstate growth opportunities, including entering new markets,” she said.

“We plan for the state-of-the-art facility to be fully operational in the second half of 2025, accommodating up to 400 employees over the course of the growth phase – including the creation of approximately 150 new jobs.

“Not only will this project directly create new jobs and opportunities at this site, it will facilitate employment growth across our retail business Australia-wide, creating up to 250 new jobs in the medium and long term,” Haigh’s Chocolates chief operating officer Peter Millard added.

Encompassing 9000sq m to house the new production facilities and 6000 sq m for warehousing and online fulfilment, $36 million of the project investment will go towards state-of-the-art European-made equipment, including specialised panning, enrobing and moulding lines as well as kitchen and packing equipment chosen to complement its artisan chocolate-making capabilities.