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MEDIA COVERAGE
AUSBUY regularly appears in the media; in radio interviews, on TV and in print media. Below is a selection of our media coverage and articles on current issues and the wider implications of Australian ownership and retention of our wealth creating assets and skills here. Also visit us on YouTube for videos of our interviews. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.
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Susan Pender Pearls of Wisdom and Beauty - 2UE Interview
Having worked for Vogue Magazine for a number of years, Susan Pender brought a sense of style and appreciation of what was “in vogue” when she started her business in the 1970s. She turned her creative drive, love of beauty and sense of fine quality into a successful jewellery design and manufacturing business. Driven to find expression for her creativity, she began her business while her children were still young. To realise her dream she learned her craft in metal work with skills such as enamelling and soldering, inspired by her teachers who were the family that had made the Melbourne Cup since its inception.
Susan credits her grandmother for her resourcefulness and ability to adapt, create and make. Her focus remains to create jewellery for those who want to express their individuality through good design and quality and who want to wear something a little different. She calls it “classic with a twist”. Throughout the years she has been inspired and supported along the way.
The thing that differentiates her designs are animals for lovers of horses, elephants etc or even the whimsy of flying pigs. Susan contends that her personal motivation remains the “joy of creating”. She still initiates the designs, and supervises preparation of the castings, which are also plated here. Pearls are integral to many of Susan’s designs, and she has the satisfaction of employing two generations of pearl threaders in her business. Knowledge, care and attention to detail are the hallmarks of quality. Her caster and threader have been with her since the inception of the business, where pride in their crafts has been nurtured.
Susan Pender has a single shop in Broome called “Deep Sea Moonlight Pearls”, and sells through select stockists throughout Australia, small galleries and online. She clients have been loyal for a long time. In a world of “me too” and throw away jewellery items, it is good to know that creativity, quality, and integrity are still possible – “with a twist!”
Susan Pender Jewellery is a proud AUBUY members and Australian Owned and Made. Our Builders and Makers – these are our stories, these are our people.
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Easy Heaters Interview on 2UE with Murray Wilton
Easy Heaters is a family business owned by the Salkelds and Livingstones. Bill Salkeld started it 1997 and Reg Livingstone joined him in 1998. Bill came up with an imaginative way to solve the problem of keeping food hot and hence safe. Simple idea! But it took experience in the food canning industry, a focus on user convenience, spill and chemical safety that solved the problem. The result is designed for safety and to avoid leaks, spills and odours and ensure the food is heated consistently. This was a first.
Easy Heaters’ partners not only designed the product, they built the manufacturing line. This includes the chafing dish fuel trays, clever long life wicks and the individual pellets that are used under Chafing dishes in hotels, resorts, restaurants, clubs, homes etc. Easy Heaters are quietly “chuffed” about the success of the business with around 80% of the market – which they created. They might say it is fair enough considering it is Australian owned and made here, but they need to be vigilant, because hospitality businesses might like to promote they are selling Australian food, but they forget to support the little things that help them deliver the promise, and with any good idea there are imported competitor “me toos” who do not quite get the consistent heat, drip free and safety right.
They also used their bright engineering skills to manufacture other companies’ ideas. Easy Heaters are distributed throughout Australia.
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Phoenix Foundry Interview on 2UE - Builders and Makers
The story of the Phoenix Foundry reflects the story of the mythical bird of great beauty that burned itself on the funeral pyre and rose from the ashes in the freshness of youth to live through another cycle of years and to be reborn in immortality or hope. When Charlie Rudd and Henry Raymond started the business in 1982 they had a lot of hope and gave new life to an old unused foundry in Uralla. In turn they created opportunities for skilled workers in the famous town. Their initiative came as a result of a request from a local funeral director for a plaque.
Unlike former residents around Uralla such as bush rangers Thunderbolt and Ben Hall, Phoenix Foundry’s fame has soared by creating wealth in the town and district. It employs 35 people in the town. Specialised foundry’s skills are developed within the business. Skills such as pattern making, moulding, casting, painting and welding are used to create and make the plaques.
Unlike a lot of manufacturers they do not mass produce. It is what they call “mass customisation”. All products are one offs, because each client’s needs are different. These are treasures made to last. In just three decades Phoenix Foundry has become the major supplier domestically for memorial plaques throughout Australia.
In 2001 they expanded into the international market first in the UK, then in North America (Canada) where they are the preferred supplier. While there are USA and Chinese plaques in Australia, Phoenix Foundry prides itself on product quality, service and understanding the needs of their clients whether in time of grief, remembrance or celebration.
The core business is Cemetery and Crematoria, and the commemorative market such as schools, RSL Clubs, Sports Clubs and Government Departments (museums, galleries etc) will continue to grow. In fact many schools are adorned with Phoenix Foundry bronze plaques, as are ANZAC memorials. The Cemetery and Crematoria industry anticipates growth in the next 20 years as the population ages, but many people now choose cremation with no memorial plaque.
However, based on innovation and adapting to the market Phoenix Foundry finds new ways to retain these skills and grow the business. Australia and our communities cannot afford to throw away the skills and the memories of these businesses, or the attention to quality and service with care. Phoenix Foundry is now owned by a number of local people including the Managing Director Ian Mitchell.
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05/01/13
Who is Looking After Our Interests? Food Manufacturing and Our Farmers Dilema
The SPC story of declining demand highlights the plight of our farmers and manufacturers yet again. We can only hope that a public company can get the attention of the Ministers for Agriculture and Trade, because they have certainly not been listening for decades. The Australian Companies Institute Limited (AUSBUY) has warned of the consequences of poor policies and loss of control of our assets for nearly 22 years. Reduced demand for farm goods, value added by manufacturers here needs to be addressed because the food industry is the last major manufacturing sector we have which represents a broad cross section of small, medium and large business throughout our regions.
The story is more complicated than at first appears. We have been complicit in the deteriorating situation for over two decades. Australia’s largess without a long term strategic plan has exacerbated our food security. Open door policies signed under the WTO and OECD Agreements, Free Trade Agreements that have rarely been to our advantage; reduced funding over the years for gatekeepers such as Bio Security Australia and AQIS; little control over the standards of imports relative to the standards required of our farmers and manufacturers; poor labelling laws showing country of origin; the high dollar; ACCC’s approval of control of every major food commodity except rice beyond the farm gate by foreign owned companies making our farmers price takers not price makers; loss of major iconic brands which are Australian owned; the growth of private label further eroding profits for local manufacturers; and the ACCC’s recent determination that there will be no code of conduct for retailers, all add to our food industry woes.
While SPC cites the high dollar and competition from own brand, private labels in supermarkets, the issue is a little more complicated. SPC’s lower demand for Australian fruit was exacerbated in recent years when they dismantled a factory in Shepparton and set it up in Spain, because Australian exports have an 18% tariff into the EU. This made sense for SPC and the Spanish farmers and factory workers there, but not for Australia. Coca Coal Amatil appreciated the value of the SPC brand. Its prestige both here and overseas built up over generations by the farmers’ cooperative.
What is happening to all the Australian owned manufacturers who do not have the might of Coca Cola Amatil? We should be supporting our owned brands. We can only hope that this will be wake up call. Consumers are increasingly concerned about where our food comes from and where our jobs are generated. That concern should be reflected by our policy makers. We need to listen to our owned while we still can.
Lynne Wilkinson
CEO
Australian Company Institute Limited
Background
SPC production cut to slice 50 percent of fruit growers crop
§ April 24, 2013
§ Sophie Langley
Australian industry groups are offering support to 170 Goulburn Valley fruitgrowers after food processing company SPC Ardmona said it would not be taking their produce from 1 May 2013.
The Company, which is a subsidiary of Coca Cola Amatil (CCA), said the high Australian dollar and competition from cheaper imported products have left it no choice. It forecast a reduction of up to 50 per cent in intake for some fruit categories for the 2014 season.
Australian Food News reported in February 2013 that SPC Ardmona’s troubles had led to a 22 per cent drop in earnings for its parent company CCA.
SPC Ardmona said it is currently half way through what it termed a three-year “business transformation strategy”, which aims to address issues of efficiency and waste reduction throughout the entire business. The Company said it plans to work with key retailers, who it believes do want to support Australian fruit growers.
“We are not competing on a level playing field against the overseas sourced private label products,” said Peter Kelly, Managing Director SPC Ardmona. “We are competing against products from countries that have considerably lower labour and production costs and arguably lower quality standards than we have in Australia,” he said.
“A more than 50 per cent appreciation in the Australian dollar in the past four years has made cheap imported food even cheaper and has also severely impacted on our export markets,” Mr Kelly said.
SPC Ardmona said market share of imported private label canned fruit had grown to 58 per cent, while SPC Ardmona canned fruit share had declined to 33 per cent and the Company’s export market volumes had declined by 90 per cent in the past five years.
According to data from market research organisation Nielsen, published in ‘Retail World Grocery Guide 2012’, SPC Ardmona had 50.2 per cent value share and 40.8 per cent volume share of the shelf-stable fruit category in 2012. The grocery guide showed that in 2012, private label products had 29.1 per cent value share in the category, and 39.8 per cent volume share.
The Company said it would be seeking temporary tariff protection relief from the Australian Government to assist the fruit processing industry during the period of the strong Australian dollar, and more effectively market its brands to consumers with “stronger Australian grown and Australian made messages”.
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) AM radio program, John Wilson, spokesperson for industry body Fruit Growers’ Victoria, agreed that the high Australian dollar was a big challenge for the sector.
“A combination of the collapse of global markets in North America and Europe and an oversupply of canned fruit; at the same time our Australian dollar purchasing power increased,” Mr Wilson told the ABC program. “And unfortunately the cannery can’t meet that competition on a short-term turnaround,” he said.
Mr Wilson said the fruit growing sector needed a “restructure program, a restructure package that has a transition and an exit component in it for the health of fruit growing right across the district”.
Beauty Mate with Murray Wilton on 2UE 17.4.2013
Peter Maloney is an Aussie who wanted Aussie blokes to have their own brand of grooming products, not just a spin off from girl’s brands. So he developed Beauty Mate (borrowing from local vernacular of appreciation “Beaudy mate”) and produces a range men’s products targeted to 15 to 50 year olds. Of course Beauty Mate is designed not just to appeal to the boys – their females must approve – mums, girlfriends and wives are big influencers. And the beaut thing about Beauty Mate is it won’t break the bank – the range of seven products offer affordable quality products (leaving the girls with more to spend on their grooming?).
Peter Maloney recognised that the men’s grooming market is growing rapidly globally so it made sense to have an Australian brand that relates to the average Australian male’s personality and sense of humour. They are not just buying a product, they are buying something that “understands them”.
Where else but from an Aussie product would you find gift packs like “Nude Nut”, “Big Boy”, “Head and Hair Job” or “Good on You”. There are seven products in the range including “Shampoo”, “Conditioner”, “Shape” for short hair grooming or “Form” for longer hair, “Shaving Gel”, “Moisturiser”, “Face Wash”.
Beauty Mate is available in Woolworths stores, on-line and selected stores. Beauty Mate’s distinctive red and white striped packaging (with touches of black) makes no reference to his sporting team allegiances. St George, St Kilda and Swans should be using Beauty Mate.
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Kooka's Country Cookies interview on 2UE
Kookas Biscuits put a smile on your face – An AUSBUY Builder and Maker
As Australians we talk about love of the land, but Kooka’s Country Cookies put this into practice at every level of their operations. Kookas is a great Australian story. Situated in Donald Victoria, Kooka’s is a business where local leadership and community initiative created a business manufacturing biscuits and sourcing from local fruit growers. In a small community skilled employment in manufacturing is increasingly rare, so the five families who started and own Kooka’s fifteen years ago have given opportunity for 20 people full time and up to 36 in a busy season. That means a lot of families and farmers rely on Kookas for employment.
This in turn has a multiplier effect within the town. They are an example of how communities work together to create jobs and reinvest here, producing products that are uniquely Australian. The taste reminds you of home baked biscuits, rich and full of flavour, not those contrived in a laboratory. Kookas are the real taste of country Australia, and include organic and gluten free biscuits.
Graeme Harris is Kooka’s General Manager and one of the owners. He knows first hand “the sweet biscuit market is tough, with competition coming mainly from multinational brands such as Arnotts, Nabisco, Carrs, Nestle, Uncle Tobys many of which are imported from overseas, and without Country of Origin on our labels, the consumer does not know just where!. “Kookas local suppliers really care of their land and their food quality, so our partnership with them as manufacturers is important for the integrity and quality of our products”, he says.
Kooka’s mainly supply supermarkets and retail food suppliers as well as single serve food service. Once you taste a Kooka’s Country Cookie you’ll have a smile on your face just like the Kookaburra. In fact, Kookas reminds you of what real food tastes like. This small indulgence is also great value.
Kookas is a proud AUSBUY member and 100% Australian owned, made and sourced.
Interviews can be arranged: Graeme Harris after 6pm land line: 03 54971 763 and Mobile: 0488 552 977
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Bellamys Organic AUSBUY Builder & Makers - 2UE Interview
The Tasmanian Pure Food Group bought Bellamy’s Organic in 2007 from the founding family who started the business several year earlier in Launceston. Bellamy’s new owners had practical experience across sectors of the food and manufacturing industries including logistics, farming, merchandising. These Australian owners identified the opportunity to grow the business in the baby food sector that was Australian owned, sourced and made.
Bellamy’s CEO Laura McBain brings an extensive business background and personal experience as a mother to the business. Bellamy’s Organic compete in a market place where global brands such as Nestle, Hienze dominate the market. Bellamys are meeting the challenge as they source, manufacture, owned and managed in Australia.
Bellamy’s Organic has grown significantly since 2007 both within the Australian market place and exporting to Asia. They have built their business on Australia’s reputation as a clean growing environment with quality food. These are Australia’s competitive advantages, and foreign buyers put high value on this quality. Bellamys estimates the growth in demand for organic products will increase 10 to 15% in the coming years. The business directly employs around 26 people and indirectly around 160 in the sourcing and processing plants which Bellamy’s production manager supervises. Not only is the quality and integrity of their products important, the team who support within the business and work across Australia are greatly valued. It really is team effort. This integrity and innovation translates into the products they sell.
Bellamys pride themselves in producing wholesome, nutritious organic foods for babies toddlers and children. Products are sold in supermarket chains and independent stores throughout Australia and in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and New Zealand. Laura McBain says “offering parents a certified organic choice for their babies means that the next generation can have a pure start to life, and be given the best possible change at developing mindful eating habits through wholesome organic foods. We hope that the children brought up on Bellamy’s Organic will be able to pass the benefits onto their children and create a legacy of healthy eating for future generations”.
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Dick Smith, AUSBUY Builder & Maker - 2UE Interview
Over a decade ago, Dick Smith joined AUSBUY when he created Dick Smith Foods to support Australian farmers and businesses. Dick started Dick Smith Foods with several goals in mind, 'to foster a profitable Australian Food Manufacturing industry', 'promote Australian food', and 'to generate income to be given away to charitable causes'.
Not generally known is that Dick was motivated by the American film star, Paul Newman, and Newman’s Own food company. Dick was particularly impressed with Paul’s statement when he saw the profits at the end of their first year: "Let's give it all away to those who need it. "He’s also been motivated by the late Dame Elizabeth Murdoch. He believes that she set a great example of how those who are well off should act.
Since it began, Dick Smith Foods has given all of its profits to charity – some $4.8 million so far. Dick receives no remuneration or financial benefit from Dick Smith Foods. He donates an extensive amount of time and expertise to fulfil his obligation of helping others especially Australian farmers, factory workers and the needy. He’s disappointed that most of the income from Dick Smith Foods royalties has gone not to important charities, but to the Murdoch Press and other foreign-owned multinationals in advertising costs.
Dick appreciates the support of the media across Australia. The coverage has resulted in higher Dick Smith Food sales, helping to support manufacturing jobs and our farmers and financial support for needy charities. Most of all he appreciates the huge number of concerned Australians who not only spend the few cents extra to support our farmers, but encourage their friends to do so as well! Dick Smith Foods sells a range of food products that offer great taste and high quality. Dick Smith Foods are made and sourced in Australia, by Australian owned companies which operate in a highly ethical manner. We believe this is important because it provides employment for Australians and all the profits remain here, helping the future of our country.
As an Australian owned business Dick’s focus is on replacing imported and foreign owned food in people’s supermarket trolleys. Unfortunately only as recently as this month, March, one of Australia’s few remaining canneries Windsor Farm (also an AUSBUY member) closed its doors making 70 staff redundant. It has been the supplier of Dick Smith’s Magnificent Australian Grown Beetroot. The beetroot farmers who supplied the product and the farmers around Cowra who grew the vegetable for Windsor Farm now have to find alternative distribution for their crops.
AUSBUY’s key message is “only ownership means the decisions, profits, jobs, skills and reinvestment stay here”. Dick Smith Foods, an AUSBUY Builder & Maker is an example of this message in action.
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Aussie-made Brigade - Article in The Land
Seasol’s Vision & Story, an AUSBUY Builder & Maker - 2UE Interview
Lisa Boyd is Managing Director of Seasol International Pty Ltd and has been involved in the business since 1992. Seasol has been produced in Australia since the 70’s, but Eric Haynes, her father, purchased the business in 1982 after being inspired by the unique raw material it is made from. Although run by a talented chemist with a passion for horticulture, the business was arguably 30 years ahead of it’s time and had reached the end of the road had it not been for the acquisition.
Today Seasol manufactures and sells organic liquid seaweed to home gardeners as well as farmers and commercial horticulturists both here and overseas. Today you can say “ from flower pots to plantations:. The Haynes/ Boyd family’s business nous and a scientific approach to Seasol, ensured that a good idea became a commercial success….but it was a 20 year over night success! From the beginning Lisa had a clear vision of the possibilities of using seaweed as a plant tonic to improve the quality of crops whilst reducing the reliance on chemical fertilsers. She saw the opportunities but it took years of trials and field demonstrations to prove to farmers that seaweed was a valuable input. In fact, back in the early days ‘organics’ was a dirty word so she used to hide the fact that it was organic!
Lisa trained as a naturopath so had an intense interest in food and how it was grown. She had a dream that Seasol was going to ‘change the way Australian growers grow our food’. The majority of the raw material for Seasol is harvested from the pristine waters of Bass Straight…and the remainder from the northern hemisphere. This compliments Australia’s enviable reputation as a clean, green growing environment. Although there was an extraordinarily long developmental phase, Seasol has been scientifically tested and trialed with Australian universities and other independent bodies and certainly delivers on its promise to significantly reduce plant stress such as from heat, drought and frost.
Within the company, the Haynes/ Boyd family are immensely proud of their home grown talent. This includes a world renowned scientist and an incredibly creative sales and marketing team. This is a family owned business which values and recognizes that people are the business’ greatest asset. Staff at all levels are encouraged to make contributions, and one of Lisa’s goals is to be recognized as a workplace of choice.
Seasol continue to have their eye on bigger opportunities, that include export in their strategic plans. Pure “organic” horticulture amongst commercial farmers still represents less than 2% of the total market. However this has grown since 2009 it has grown by 16%. It is Lisa’s ambition to have Seasol used on the majority of all horticultural land in Australia over the next decade. The home garden “grow your own” category has also exploded over the past five years. Wholesale growers report that their ratio of ornamental plants versus edible crop is in the order of 30:70 whereas it used to be the reverse. Seasol represents 75% of the liquid fertilizer business and dominates the sector.
This is another example of an Australian family owned business applying skills with passion, purpose and persistence to create a product with great integrity, quality and sustainability, which nurtures the earth, plants, and respects its customers and its people. Seasol is widely available and can be found in hardware stores, supermarkets, garden stores and rural outlets.
Seasol is a proud Australian Owned and Made AUSBUY member and feature on the cover the latest AUSBUY Guide in stores throughout Australia now. Interviewed on 2UE by Murray Wilton as part of the AUSBUY Builders & Makers Campaign.
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Ray Connell, Pest Free Australia tells his story - 2UE Interview
Pest Free is an example of problem solving and Australian ingenuity. The business reflects one man’s passion for innovation, product integrity and his passion and persistence. These are the characteristics of our Australian owned companies. Pest Free’s The founder, Ray Connell has produced an Australian patented, chemical- free product which he introduced to the market in January 1995 after three years of research and testing the technology.
Connell had a problem. Concerned about vermin infestation, he wanted a solution that was effective and free of chemicals and poisons. For the first time Pest Free offered consumers a choice between using toxic & poisonous chemicals in their homes & businesses against Rats, Mice & Cockroaches.
The path to success was not easy. Powerful chemical companies and pest controllers feared his new technology would be a threat to their industry. Several years after the business started Connell found his product before the ACCC. Unfortunately the ACCC action incurred tremendous financial losses in sales and anguish for him personally during their 2 year Federal Court action. Finally after over two years the ACCC discontinued their case against his product and the ACCC was ordered to pay costs. Eight years after Pest Free began he had to start building his company again.
Ray Connell stood up and did not back down to the action taken by the ACCC against his product. He survived it through his courage alone and determination that his product was the best. Of course imports attempt to copy his technology, but cannot get it right so the results for users are disappointing. Endorsements in Australia and overseas are his assurance that the effort was worth it.
Pest Free’s achievements have been many since January 1995. His product is the only electromagnetic Pest Control product in the world to have scientific testing. The testing was conducted at the University of New England by an Emeritus Professor of 42 years experience. Who is regarded by the United Nations as being an expert in his field.
His product is the only electromagnetic Pest Control product to be fully endorsed by HACCP in Australia and Internationally. He has received 5 Exporting Grants from the Australian Federal Government for the exporting of his product to over 12 countries. His product has recently been installed throughout the new hi-tech Jail at Cessnock NSW.
He was nominated in the 2010 Australian of the Year Awards for his passion and dedication in reducing toxic & poisonous chemicals. His life’s dream is to leave a better world without the use of chemicals, as he believes chemicals have gone unchecked for far too many years. Being a father & grandfather he wants our children and the children for generations to come to live in a cleaner world & environment without the use of toxic & poisonous chemicals.
He also notes with wry aside that Pest Controllers are now saying they are using environmental friendly chemicals, Mr. Connell's answer to that is, then why do they still use a breathing apparatus to spray them. Interviewed on 2UE by Murray Wilton as part of the AUSBUY Builders and Makers Campaign March 2013.
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Bulla Dairy - An AUSBUY Builder & Maker - 2UE Interview
When established in 1910, it’s hard to imagine that anyone involved with Bulla Dairy Foods would have envisaged a sixth generation family member joining the business alongside third, fourth and fifth generations – and what’s more, over a century later. Generational change in a family business is not assured, so to manage this over 100 years takes good management and clear vision.
David Sloan, General Manager Commercial Sales & Marketing Bulla Dairy Foods and a fifth generation family member, was recently asked how a family company grows and changes? As a company whose values are based on Trust and Teamwork, Communication, Growth and Family Life, David’s response echoed these century old principles and reiterated that success comes from knowing who you are and who you are seen to be.
“What differentiates a family company versus a multinational is that we are not bound to the quarterly reviews. We are there for the long term, work through the tough times and remain flexible in adjusting to change and creating new opportunities to grow.
“An important part of our survival has been our core values of consideration for the people who we employ, the individual and their families. Bulla Dairy Foods makes all its decisions with its core values in mind, in Australia and in support of Australian suppliers. This is something that has enabled us to see first hand how our decisions positively impact not just our accounts, but our community and suppliers,” Sloan says.
Bulla was started by three families with a shared passion to deliver delicious, real dairy products made from fresh milk, cream and other quality ingredients. To this day Bulla Dairy Foods is owned and operated by the Sloan, Downey and Anderson families.
Since inception Bulla Dairy Foods has understood its role in a regional community as a manufacturer sourcing from local farmers. It prides itself on providing flexibility and understanding to its employees and encourages the individual to help build and sustain a successful business. This focus has remained unchanged over 103 years and has proved influential in the way the Bulla business operates. It really is a team effort.
One of the unique aspects of Bulla Dairy Foods, and something which consumers have indicated they are looking for, is that the company is wholly owned and operated in Australia – something that many iconic Australian brands can no longer claim. This is not a position that has been ‘manufactured’ by Bulla; merely a reflection of their maintained family owned and operated business.
Starting as a small Melbourne cream company, Bulla Dairy Foods has evolved and now offers a broad range of chilled and frozen dairy products including cream, cottage cheese, yoghurt, dairy desserts, ice cream and frozen yoghurt. Today Bulla Dairy Foods is one of Australia’s leading dairy producers, continuously developing innovative and uniquely Australian dairy products.
Founded on traditional values of family, pride, integrity, respect and honesty, Bulla Dairy Foods creates 100% Australian made dairy products in line with this and in turn, attracts Australian households who are dedicated to supporting Australian producers and produce. Naturally great tasting food also offers great value for money.
Bulla Dairy Foods is sold in Australia in supermarkets, convenience stores, food service outlets including hotels, restaurants and fast moving consumer outlets, and the company exports to twenty-two countries including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, China and the Middle East. One range that is very popular is ice cream. Industry research shows that Australians are passionate about their ice cream, consuming 16 litres per person every year – the third highest consumption in the world! We also love our Cream and Yoghurt, with the category within grocery worth $1.6b and growing at 5% YOY.
Recently, Bulla Dairy Foods opened a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in Colac, South-West Victoria, which has expanded its employment capabilities and increased its staff from 500 in early 2012 to 650 by October 2012. The company has three sites across Victoria – Derrimut, Mulgrave and Colac – and individuals’ skills range in everything from Research & Development, Administration and Factory Floor to Sales & Marketing, Sustainability and Logistics. Irrespective of the position, all Bulla Dairy Foods employees conduct themselves in line with the family values of Trust and Teamwork, Communication, Growth and Family Life.
Despite the changing landscape, Bulla Dairy Foods has continued to deliver the same product quality and level of service to the Australian consumer, all the while remaining true to the core essence of what it means to be a truly Australian family company. Bulla Foods is looking forward to the next hundred years and beyond.
The Bulla Dairy Foods Story is part of the AUSBUY Builders and Makers campaign to showcase the people who are running our Australian owned business. Interviewed on 2UE by Murray Wilton as part of the Builders & Makers Campaign.
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Farmer Power on Landline
There's not much doubt Australia's beleaguered dairy farmers could use a stiff drink right now. If it's not the dry spell, it's a sky-high dollar and a frenzy of discounting by Australia's two big supermarkets.
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Rubbedin Takes The Hard Work Out Of Cleaning - 2UE Interview
When Ian and Marslie Smits bought Rubbedin from its founder Don Lakeland in 2005, the company already had manufactured cleaning products that were environmentally friendly for nearly 30 years. As a metallurgist Don understood just what was needed to clean metal surfaces such as cook tops and wood heaters. Add to that his concern that ingredients really met “green” standards.
This was the perfect business for Ian and Marslie to buy in 2005 as they knew that other countries had taken the lead in enforcing their environmental credentials in household products with clear and well managed labelling laws. Marslie’s sensitivity to cleaning chemicals as an asthma and allergy sufferer, also convinced them that Rubbedin could help others. In Australia Rubbedin had already lead the way in innovation in “green” cleaning, making those household chores easier and safer as well as being kind to the environment. Rubbedin’s “Go Clean Go Green” range of products is the only Australian owned and made cleaning product to be part of the National Asthma Council of Australia’s Sensitive Choice® Program.
Under the Smits’ guidance new products continue to be developed, showing that product integrity and innovation remain the basis for their business. Their standards clearly differentiate them from the “me too” imports, and they are concerned that our labelling laws and their supervision lag behind other countries such as the UK and USA. Simply put, some competitor products contain ingredients which are not kind to the environment. As usual they have to compete for space with imports or big company products and have even seen their products copied.
If you are serious about cleaning and restoring precious items around the home, and using safer products that are kind to the environment, then Rubbedin can help.
Available online or in supermarkets nationally. Rubbedin is a proudly Australian owned and made company, employing Australians and reinvesting here.
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Innovation and Energy Efficiency Drives Scholz Industries
After fifteen years overseas working in the electrical and air conditioning industries, Eric Scholz came back to Australia to establish Scholz Industries in 2009. “Create and Save Power” are the benchmarks of the range of innovative, energy efficiency products Scholz Industries develops.
Scholz Industries is a young, dynamic business which is 100% Australian owned, manufacturers here, or to Scholz specifications off shore. Scholz’ focus on innovation is supported by a team of five in house, employed to develop new products here, aided by local universities. Products are supplied and installed through the Electrical Distributers and Contractors. They are used in the domestic, commerical and mining sector and include Lumex Lighting range of LED lights, Lumex Ventilation with Eco Exhaust Fan, Opal Air fans, Lumex Technologies with Load Smart Digital Dimmer, Solar Spec with the new range of Inverters, Solar Panels and Kits. Scholz is about the best solutions.
As an Australian owned business, Scholz competes successfully with imports but on our terms. Quality, innovation and service are the characteristics which drive Australian Builders and Makers like Scholz Industries. Scholz Industries is proud to be an AUSBUY member.
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01/30/13
How an Australian Owned Business Turned Good Ideas Into Gold Medals - Atom Industries 2UE Interview
The Notaras brothers, Angelo and John have been doing this since the 1960s from their factory in Sydney. In that time they have more than sixty patents in the market place, and have been acknowledged with eight gold medals in Innovation using the highest British and USA standards Innovation Awards. But they are not finished yet! As ex-banana farmers they learned how to tinker on the farm and recognised that there were more productive and safer ways to get jobs done. This nurtured a thirst for knowledge and a passion to improve small powered machinery used on farms and around the home garden. Householders, professional gardeners, contractors and Government departments use their tools.
The Notaras' thrive on being Problem Solvers. John reckons “necessity is the mother of invention. We thrive on creating ways to make work tools more productive, safer and to deliver the best outcome, so users get it right the first time and know our tools are reliable”. Atom Industries manufacture and sell what they invent. The efficiencies they deliver to their end users are reflected in how they run their operation. They are constantly working on research & development of new product lines. They use the latest technology to design their innovations such as CAB CAM. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
Atom Industries has survived the onslaught of cheap imports and is now the only company in Australia who manufactures light weight powered lawn and garden equipment. They have a wide range of models including user friendly powered lawn edgers (no.1 sellers in Australia and NZ) that are designed to give the most productive and good looking result; powered tillers, ideal for backyard veggie gardens. Atom’s drill attachment for chain saws is responsible for building about 80% of timber fences in rural Australia since the 1960s. And, ever inventive, there are new products planned to launch later this year.
Atom Industries ranges sell their Australian products in most lawn and garden specialists shops where they understand the importance of selling quality products so they in turn can best service their customers. They compete against cheap imports mainly from China, but Atom Industries formula is to focus on building their business by making quality with uniqueness that lasts. Their motto is to make better products than anyone else and protect their intellectual property through patents. They know you cannot put a price on quality, product integrity and safety.
Atom Industries are part of the AUSBUY Builders and Makers Campaign which focuses on the Australian business owners who create opportunity and reinvest here.
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Doing What Comes Naturally at Go Natural Australia - 2UE Interview
For over 25 years David and Kate Worth have been doing what was natural to them when they founded Go Natural. They turned their passion for food and business into a successful brand, sourcing from local farmers, employing Australians, and distributing throughout Australia and overseas. Success has been won by hard work, persistence and their consistent demand for quality and integrity. In turn they, their staff, suppliers and consumers benefit. “When it comes to food, the Worth family is obsessed with goodness and fanatical about flavour. We love the pleasure of good food, whole food, real food… We love the tastes, the textures and the well being that it brings to our family and friends. Being an Australian owned family business this passion is brought to life with our Go Natural brand”
For Kate Worth ingredient integrity is at the core of Go Natural’s brand values. Go Natural chooses to source key ingredients such as almonds, macadamia nuts, peanuts and honey from Australian producers. To Go Natural “natural” means that their products are as close as possible to nature. They contain whole natural ingredients that are minimally processed so that taste and nutritional value are maintained.
The Go Natural philosophy is to provide opportunity for everyone to enjoy REAL food (whole food) products, with REAL food value that tastes great and nurtures wellbeing. The Go Natural range includes over 50 products, some of which are long term favourites. These include Nut Delight, Yoghurt Almond and Apricot, and Fruit and Nut Delight. Go Natural’s r most recent addition was a Hi Protein performance snack with the right mix of protein and carbs particularly suited to endurance events. Go Natural products can be found nationally in supermarkets in the health food area, health food stores, petrol and convenience stores.
Whether for a personal indulgence or snack, you cannot put a price on product quality and integrity so Go Natural. Go Natural is part of the AUSBUY Builders and Makers Campaign which focuses on the Australian business owners who create opportunity and reinvest here.
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01/23/13
Justin Dowel of Natures Organics, interviewed on 2UE's Murrray Wilton Show
12/03/12
Australian company out-sauces - 4BC with Gary Hardgrave
Iconic Australian brand Rosella is the latest home grown product to go into receivership. Ausbuy CEO Lynne Wilkinson joins Gary Hardgrave to discuss the ups and downs of what had been one of the countries most enduring brands and fears there will be more closures to come.
11/28/12
Lynne Wilkinson on 2UE Breakfast with Jason Morrison
Lynne talks about presenting the 50K signatures from AUSBUY's petition against the sale of our land to foreign interests in Canberra Parliament today, alongwith the support of Kelvin Thomson, Senator John Madigan, Senator Nick Xenophon, Senator The Hon Bill Heffernan, Senator Christine Milne and The Hon Bob Katter, MP.
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11/27/12
Lynne Wilkinson, Kelvin Thomson and a Farmer on Drive on 4BC
Gary Hargraves (4BC Radio) chats with Lynne Wilkinson, CEO of Ausbuy
In response to the recent budget announcement from Wayne Swan. If you are going to sell of your wealth creating assets to foreign interests, then the income revenue from business profits will go down.
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Howard Sattler 6PR Interviews Whittington's Michael Braybrook 8 November, 2012
Michael Braybrook, MD, "Whittingtons" WA a Builder and Maker. The finest quality herbs and spices are sourced from Australian farmers, processed here, and distributed here. Also exported to Asia and the USA.
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11/07/12
Gary Hargraves (4BC Brisbane) interviews Rob McGavin from Cobram Estate
Gary Hargraves interviews Lynne Wilkinson CEO AUSBUY and Rob McGavin Director Cobram Estate Olive Oil. They outline reasons why we should be supporting our owned businesses and the quality and integrity of Australian products.
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10/16/12
Lynne Wilkinson chats to Howard Satler on 6PR about labelling laws
Wake up on food security needed: forum
Australia should not rush to sell farm assets to foreign investors until it develops a national food plan, a Sydney forum has heard.
In a speech to a Sydney Food Fairness Alliance and NSW farmers forum, Lynne Wilkinson, the chief executive of Ausbuy, an organisation that promotes Australian-owned and grown food, called for a moratorium on the sale of Australian farmland to foreign investors.
"It is extraordinary that in the coming week submissions for the National Food Plan are due and yet we are allowing the sale of key strategic assets regardless," she told the forum. "What is the rush?"
She questioned the sale of Cubbie Station to Chinese and Japanese investors, "when the Murray Darling Basin Plan has not been resolved and Cubbie represents 14 per cent of of the Darling River's flow". "The mantra is we need foreign investment," she said. "But at what cost to our future and our farmers, our skills and the food security of our cities and our food processors." Ms Wilkinson said Australia needed a wake-up call on food security. "There are chemicals still used overseas that are banned here which Australia no longer tests for because of budget cuts," she warned. "Increasingly we have to rely on the word of the people selling us their food."
She also slammed unplanned urban sprawl in Sydney which was an incursion on arable farmland. "Other cities such as London have created green belts where food is grown for the populace with buffer zones to avoid contamination," she said.
Published on the Trading Room Website on September 24, 2012.
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Food Security in Spotlight
AUSTRALIA should not rush to sell farm assets to foreign investors until it develops a national food plan, a Sydney forum has heard. In a speech to a Sydney Food Fairness Alliance and NSW farmers forum, Lynne Wilkinson, the chief executive of Ausbuy, an organisation that promotes Australian-owned and grown food, called for a moratorium on the sale of Australian farmland to foreign investors.
"It is extraordinary that in the coming week submissions for the National Food Plan are due and yet we are allowing the sale of key strategic assets regardless," she told the forum. "What is the rush?"
She questioned the sale of Cubbie Station to Chinese and Japanese investors, "when the Murray Darling Basin Plan has not been resolved and Cubbie represents 14 per cent of of the Darling River's flow". "The mantra is we need foreign investment," she said. "But at what cost to our future and our farmers, our skills and the food security of our cities and our food processors." Ms Wilkinson said Australia needed a wake-up call on food security. "There are chemicals still used overseas that are banned here which Australia no longer tests for because of budget cuts," she warned. "Increasingly we have to rely on the word of the people selling us their food."
She also slammed unplanned urban sprawl in Sydney which was an incursion on arable farmland. "Other cities such as London have created green belts where food is grown for the populace with buffer zones to avoid contamination," she said.
Published in The Weekly Times on September 25th, 2012
Victorian Country Hour - Lynne Wilkinson interviewed
Lynne Wilkinson tallks to Kath Sullivan about promoting local produce
Food Security: Will We Have Food For The Future?
Fears about foreign interest in Australian farms and food
09/04/12
Wheat Farmer talk to Australia All Over
Jock Munro, a wheat farmer, talk to Ian McNamara on Australia All Over about the implications of control of the sale of our grain by foreign interests now that the AWB is no longer farmer controlled and foreign interests determine the price our farmers get and how Australian grain is positioned in the international marketplace. Ownership once gave us control of our position of leadership and quality internationally, that is now compromised.
The National Food Plan - Do Australians Get Priority? Mackay ABC 21 July 2012
Darrell Lea Goes into Adminstration 12 July 2012 ABC Wollongong
06/28/12
Foreign Investment in Our Land 5 AAA 28.6.2012
03/20/12
Radio 2TM with Graham Archer 12th March 2012
Lynne Wilkinson chats to 2TM Radio on the 12th March 2012.
Download and listen to the interview here or to listen to now use the following player.
