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A new machine will enable South Coast Juice to produce 4,000 bottles per hour, compared to the 150 bottles per hour they produce by hand.

The bottling and capping machine has been installed at the factory and will be operating by the end of this week.

This transition away from manual processing to an automatic system will allow the company to boost their output capacity, develop new products and create around seven new jobs.

Director of the Bomaderry-based business, Zak Rush, said the new equipment has given the company the capacity to develop a new oat milk brand and will assist in producing it to a high quality when it is launched.

"We basically went from a hand filling system to replace it with an automated line," said Mr Rush.

"So now we have the capacity and the staff skills to actually develop recipes for new products. And we've developed a production line to make a fresh oat milk.

"It's one of the first fresh oat milks to hit the market, different to the other long life oat milks on the market...so we'll retain all the nutrients in a fresh product.

"This type of machine helps keep the people separate from the thing that gets consumed because it's all contained inside the machine."

Mr Rush said the company developed the oat milk brand to meet the community's "growing demand" for plant-based products.

At this stage, it is expected to be released before Christmas.

The purchase of the new machine, as well as a new refrigerated truck to assist with increased distribution, was made possible by a $130,000 grant from the NSW Government's Regional Job Creation Fund.

The grant writer, Belinda Brooks, said the funds are "vital" in supporting the business' growth and is thrilled it will also help South Coast Juice provide around seven new jobs.

"Without the support of the (state) government, we just wouldn't have the capacity to meet the production needs that we're expecting over the next couple of years," he said.

"We're also looking at approaching smaller beverage companies and co-packing their brand for them, or if they approach us because they don't have the factory to do it, we'll now have the capacity to meet those requests.

"And in turn, this will create jobs - in delivery, in the production room, the cool room, the list goes on."

Ms Brooks added the funds will assist with introducing local products to new markets.

"With an increase in production, it's going to mean we will be able to take this product to new markets...which may be intrastate, but also interstate and possibly internationally," she said.

"It will be fantastic for the region."

For more information on the Regional Job Creation Fund, visit: investregionalnsw.com/RJCFund.

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Grace Crivellaro is an Illawarra Mercury reporter.

Grace Crivellaro is an Illawarra Mercury reporter.

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