Saputo has announced it will close its Maffra factory and scale back operations at its bulk powder production sitein Leongatha. The cheese packaging facility near Mount Gambier will also be shut down. Saputo said up to 75 employees are affected.

President and chief operating officer Leanne Cutts said some functions of the three sites would be relocated with impacted production and packaging functions to be integrated into facilities across the network. Cutts said the company is committed to the Australian dairy industry and that Saputo wants “every litre of milk.” The changes will take effect in the first three months of 2023.