Hot chip vending machines could be a potential new market for West Australia potato growers, who are currently facing the loss of the only chip manufacturer in the state. Smith's Snackfood Company announced last year that it would close its doors on its Canning Vale crisp manufacturing plant. Approximately a dozen potato growers supply 12,000 tonnes of potatoes to the factory, which is worth about $5 million to growers.
However, the machines could replace the loss; they will be built in the Perth suburb of Wangara and will be supplied with chips from a potato chip processor in Manjimup, in the south west of the state.
After more than five years of planning, construction on these hot chip vending machines will begin in the next 30 days and should be established in eight locations in Perth by the end of June.
The machines were tested in Perth and Adelaide and according to the creators can take the potato from frozen, to fryer and into the cup within two minutes and 20 seconds.
Manjimup potato grower and hot chip processor Stephen Bendotti has the contract to supply the product to the vending machine manufacturer, the Hot Chips Company.
Mr Bendotti already sources potatoes from farmers around the south-west region for his processing company Bendotti Exporters and he said his company will lose 20 per cent of its business when Smith's Snackfood closes.
But he said he estimated the vending machines could treble production at his processing facility and create a new market for growers.
Venture could ease deregulation pain
The launch of these hot chip vending machines comes as potato growers prepare for deregulation.
Hot Chips Company CEO Peter Malone said he believed his vending machines have "come at a good time" for growers preparing for deregulation.
Mr Malone said Bendotti Exporters had already embarked on a research and development program to work on a new potato variety designed for the hot chip machines.
He said he would also look to relocate parts of the Perth-based business to the south-west potato growing region.
