ACM’s new factory officially opens

ACM officially opened its Girgarre milk factory last week and now looks ahead to the opening of its cheese plant early next year.

About 50 people watched on as Member for Murray Damian Drum cut the ribbon alongside ACM’s managing director Michael Auld and chief operating officer Jason Limbrick.

‘‘We continually hear stories of integrity and respect when we deal with farmers supplying ACM,’’ Mr Drum said.

‘‘It is owned and operated by locals, and from our vantage point they seem to be paying a really solid farm gate milk price.

‘‘We all understand how tough the dairy industry is right now in relation to input costs, and receiving a solid farm gate price is critically important.’’

The opening followed the first milk flow through the factory in early February.

The factory has the capacity to process conventional and organic milk at the same time.

It was announced that milk processing would return to Girgarre for the first time in four decades, in October 2017.

The cheese plant is set to open in January.