SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: www.beerenberg.com.au

Grant and Carol Paech inherited the Paech family dairy farm in 1970, the fifth successive generation of Paechs since 1839 to work the property now called ‘Beerenberg Farm’. They diversified by planting a strawberry crop for some extra income; the crop flourished; a surplus led Grant to create his first batch of strawberry jam in 1971 – and a new South Australian icon was born.

In those early days, the jam was made on the kitchen stove and sold in pots from roadside stalls and at local markets. The success of the jam led to the planting of other crops and the introduction of new varieties of jam, followed by condiments and sauces. By the early 1980s Beerenberg had established a reputation for quality and full-flavoured natural products.

In 1985, the company entered a new stage when it produced single serves of jam in small glass jars for Qantas, which had previously used imported products. After the success of this venture, the mini-jars were introduced in luxury Australian hotels, where the farm-style quality of the jams was an immediate hit.

Buoyed by the growing reputation of his products, Grant Paech then challenged European dominance of jams in luxury hotels overseas. Beerenberg products are now on the breakfast trays of the best hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.

This overseas success was not without its trials. The sudden leap in growth required a succession of risks to build the infrastructure needed to meet demand, in some cases, before a true understanding of the size of the market was known. Also, as a working farm growing the fruit and vegetables used in the products, the business is at the mercy of the weather, making production and storage costs difficult to predict.

However, in spite of the challenges, Beerenberg continues to grow and expand into new markets.  Grant and Carol are still involved in the business, but their children are the current stewards – the second generation Beerenberg Farm managers.  Eldest son, Anthony Paech, was appointed Managing Director in 1998; second son, Robert, is Farm Manager and daughter, Sally, is Marketing Manager.

Beerenberg remains proudly South Australian made-and-owned. Their products can now be found in 24 countries, on major airlines and in more than 300 hotels.