The Times Australia
The Times Food and Dining

.
The Times Real Estate

.

AI-Powered Robots Set to Revolutionise Cake Production in Queensland


Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, a female-founded leading national sweet and savoury food supplier and manufacturer, has today announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art facility based in Brisbane’s Acacia Ridge. 


In a first for the sector, the new Priestley’s Gourmet Delights facility is a data-led SMART factory which can instantly harness real-time data to boost productivity, improve processes and drive growth. Mobile autonomous robots streamline the baking process - stacking product onto baking racks as well as safely moving the racks around the facility - doubling production capacity and ensuring safety of employees by reducing the need for repetitive manual tasks. 


Priestley’s employees remain an integral part of the company with staff involved in everything from hand decorating the products and selecting ingredients to tasting and quality control. Employees whose jobs are now automated are being upskilled towards higher-value roles which will enable them to develop their expertise and drive innovation of future products and processes.


The new $53 million, 7740 square metre facility will also support Priestley's expansion into the retail sector, creating approximately 56 new FTE roles across the company by 2026. 


With a well-established legacy spanning 28 years, the company’s new facility is a centre of excellence for dessert and savoury production. With a 55% increase on the footprint of the company’s previous premises, and equipped with best in class automation and machine learning technologies, it sets a new benchmark for sweet and savoury food production. 


Xanny Christophersen MD and CEO, Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, said: “It’s fantastic to be at the helm of such an innovative company. As the niece of the founder, I’ve watched the business grow over the years and our new facility is testament not only to her drive but the hard work of all of our employees.


“The technology we’re harnessing will allow us to boost productivity while also enabling us to grow our people - supporting them to upskill and creating a substantial number of new jobs for Queenslanders, as well as adding to the state’s economy. This increased productivity means that we’re able to retail an exciting new range of products directly to consumers for the first time - meaning they can indulge in a sweet  treat whenever they feel like it.”


Priestley’s Gourmet Delights will launch a new range of five indulgent desserts into independent retail chains Drakes Supermarkets and Ritchies IGA, with the view to expand to additional outlets across Australia. The range will include individually packaged cakes and tarts, perfect for indulgent ‘me time’ moments.


Priestley’s Gourmet Delights (PGD) is a family owned and operated business based in Brisbane with manufacturing facilities in both Australia and New Zealand. The company was formed in 1995 and has grown from a 75sqm bakery with just 8 staff creating cakes, supplying to cafes across Brisbane and surrounding areas, to having 148 staff in a 4600sqm purpose-built facility, supplying frozen cakes and desserts via foodservice distributors across all of Australia and New Zealand

Food & Dining

7 Tips to Brew Perfect Mullein Tea Every Time

Brewing the perfect cup of mullein tea can often feel elusive, especially with all the conflicting advice available online. You might struggle with weak flavour, overpowering bitterness, or even the challenge of floating leaves in your cup.  Fortu...

Fresh Ideas for Celebrating the Year of the Snake

The Lunar New Year is here, and with it comes the Year of the Snake—a time for fresh beginnings, family connections, and, of course, delicious food. As celebrations kick off, Australian families are turning to summer’s bounty of fresh produce to ...

Drop of Sunshine | The perfect gift for that special someone this Valentine’s day

Drop of Sunshine: A Toast to Women, Our Connections & The Stories That Bring Us Together Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), one of the world’s leading wine companies, has launched a new line of premium wines,  Drop of Sunshine, in partnership wit...

Delicious and Healthy Vitamix Recipes for Optimal Nutrition

🍏🥦 Enjoy tasty Vitamix recipes packed with nutrients for optimum health. Healthy eating 🥕🍓 made fun & delicious! 💪🍹 #Nutrition #VitamixRecipes Healthy Eating and Optimal NutritionRenowned for its versatility and unparalleled blending capabilitie...

The Times Features

The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy has long been a standard for supporting children’s communication and emotional development. But what happens when you introduce a furry friend into the process? Th...

The Hidden Dangers of Blocked Drains and the Ultimate Solution for a Hassle-Free Home

Drain blockages are a big hassle to every homeowner and business owner alike. Whether it is a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a foul smell circulating aroun...

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Times Magazine

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

LayBy Shopping