Launch of WA's first yogurt drink at Casa's new Nedlands plant

20/2/96

The launch of Western Australia's first yogurt drink today typified the exciting growth occurring in Western Australia's food processing sector, Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said today.

The product, called 'Yo', is being produced at Casa Dairy Products Pty Ltd's new factory in Nedlands and was officially launched by Mr Cowan, who also opened the new plant.

Mr Cowan said Casa had established a good reputation over the past 15 years as a supplier of speciality cheeses and yogurts for the WA market.

"This new production facility and product range marks a further and major phase in the success of Casa, a WA-owned and managed company," he said.

"The company's commitment to WA is clearly demonstrated by its investment in this facility."

Mr Cowan said small business was responsible for an exciting transformation in the State as manufacturing and traded services were becoming significant growth contributors.

"The processed food sector is playing a significant role in the expansion of traded goods," he said.

"It represents 11 per cent of all the State's manufacturing establishments. It is the State's largest manufacturing sector for employment and the second largest in turnover.

"Small businesses such as Casa have been responsible for much of this growth over the past few years. Its entrepreneurial innovation and ability to seize market opportunities, as evidenced by today's introduction of yogurt drinks on to the WA market, underline the importance of small business policies in the State's economic development."

The need for a new range of yogurt drinks was identified by Casa's owner, Mr Cliff Tarry, during a visit to Europe.

Mr Tarry's study tour was assisted by the Department of Commerce and Trade under the department's Design Marketing Support Scheme, as part of the Government's efforts to promote and fund better business practices in manufacturing, processing and services.

During the tour Mr Tarry identified yogurt drinks as a product that could be manufactured in WA. Drinks of this type are not manufactured or marketed in WA at present. Companies in the Eastern States are producing similar products.

Mr Tarry established Casa as Casa Cheeses in 1981. The company manufactures a range of speciality cheeses and yogurts and has grown at a rate of 10 per cent per year since its inception.

The new facilities will enable the company to increase its production and manufacture the new range of yogurt drinks. The upgrading will also allow the company to meet the requirements for export, allowing for the possibility for Casa to enter the export market in the future.

The Department of Commerce and Trade's Design Market Support Scheme encourages and supports the adoption of design excellence by assisting eligible companies to attend design conferences and exhibitions in Australia and overseas.

The company has also received assistance to improve its corporate image under the NIES Better Business Program design program.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595