Distilling for the future

Saleyards Distillery is using the assistance of the manufacturing hubs grant program to equip itself with state-of-the-art technology to increase productivity of high-quality products and boost sales.

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Fast facts

Business

Saleyards Distillery

Headquarters

Rockhampton, Central Queensland

Employees

5 with plans to expand to 12

Grant funding

$272,500 from the manufacturing hubs grant program (2020-21).

Project

  • The purchase of state-of-the-art Jamaican-style rum still which is 5 times the size of their current rum still.
  • The still will enable Saleyards Distillery to increase productivity and in turn product a better quality product.

Benefits

  • 3 jobs created.

Future growth

  • Plans to expand and create a further 7 new jobs across Queensland over the next 12 months.

Saleyards Distillery has been operating in Rockhampton since 2016 after taking over the iconic Saleyards Hotel founded in 1886. They ensure all their products are high quality, handmade and all ingredients are sourced ethically and locally where possible. They sell a range of gin and rum products including Capricorn Spiced Rum, which was awarded best spiced rum at the World Rum Awards 2020.

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Saleyards Distillery pivoted to manufacture over 3,000 litres of hand sanitizer in 5 litre and 20 litre buckets. The distillery provided hand sanitizer to the Fire and Ambulance services, local nursing homes and several schools. The business has now returned to making gin and have recently secured contracts with Dan Murphy’s.

To keep up with demand, Saleyards Distillery has used the assistance of the manufacturing hubs grant program to upgrade their manufacturing program.

Bottles of run lined up in front of distilling equipment and barrels

Why the manufacturing hubs grant program?

Through the Queensland Government’s manufacturing hubs grant program for regional manufacturers, Saleyards Distillery have identified opportunities where they can grow to keep up with demand.

The Rockhampton manufacturing hub helped Saleyards Distillery with their production ideas and a grant to purchase a new still.

What did the project involve?

The new still has a programmable logic controller (PLC) system that allows for automated dosing and remote monitoring, producing a more consistent product. The technology integrated into this still will allow further technology adoptions in future stills and processing, increasing production and export opportunities, and continuing Saleyards Distillery’s journey to advanced manufacturing.

Saleyards Distillery is investing in a new state-of-the-art, Jamaican-style rum still to boost the amount of product they can make. Working with the Rockhampton manufacturing hub, the grant for new equipment will help to keep up with demand for Saleyards Distillery products.

Last updated: 17 Jun 2021