The dairy processor experienced an outbreak on August 31 which resulted in 20 cases of the virus and the closure of the Connor Street site.

Bulla Dairy Foods chief executive Allan Hood said the company had been looking into a series of opportunities to avoid an outbreak again and have rolled out Smart Badge.

"Having lived through the challenge of an outbreak, I don't ever want to live through something like that again," he said.

"When we had our outbreak we started to look into new ways of working and safety has always been our first and foremost priority.

"For the next 12 months the Smart Badge will be part of the uniform. Everything we do is for today and future-proofing the business."

Following a successful trial period in October, Bulla Dairy Foods became the first food manufacturer and major installer to roll out Smart Badge across all of its sites by November 30.

Looking much like a FitBit, Smart Badge technology is a small, wearable wristband worn by any team member, visitor or contractor.

Working in tandem with nodes placed at the entrances to sites and key communal areas, data is recorded to manage contact tracing in the event of a positive case.

The wristband also vibrates when people come within 1.5 metres of each other and the data taken from encounters can be used for contact tracing.

Mr Hood said the bands will make identifying possible coronavirus cases easier without having to stop operations again.

"This now needs to become part of DNA as we saw what happened when complacency set in," he said.

"Smart Badge is just one aspect of the controls we put in place; we conduct rigorous, daily fitness check, we have COVID marshals across all sites, temperature testing, we've increased our hygiene and mask wearing is compulsory and will remain for the foreseeable future.

"The next wave for us is exploring touch-less facilities like tea and coffee to reduce common touch points and we're looking at increasing ventilation within building.

"We know the risk of another pandemic is pretty high and we need to future proof our business. The investment in technology is necessary."

Colac-Otway Shire was cleared of coronavirus on October 6.

Warrnambool's Midfield Meats has also rolled out Smart Badge technology and their custom hard hat clips are due to be installed shortly.

Much of Bulla Dairy Food's staff remains working remotely where possible but within the Colac factories an additional 200 staff have been hired.

"They're mostly on the manufacturing side in Connor Street and we have added about 30 people in our chilled factory," Mr Hood said.

"We're looking at moving towards a more 24/7 production. You can definitely get a very successful career joining a local family business in the south-west."

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