SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

Web: www.robernmenz.com.au

Robern Menz (Mfg) Pty Ltd had its origin in 1908 when Walter Sims opened the first of his grocery stores in North Unley. In 1926, he bought a dried fruit factory near Mildura to ensure reliable supplies of quality products for his customers.

The Robern Dried Fruit Co continued to grow and expand under the direction of his son, Edgar Sims. The company developed the unique glace process (preserving fruit with the addition of sugar syrup) to help supply a world suffering from fruit shortages. During World War II, Robern was an important supplier of dried foodstuffs to the allied forces.

Since its establishment, the company has responded to changing economic and market conditions. The United Kingdom's entry to the EEC caused a serious contraction in the canned, dried and glace fruit market. As a reaction, the business moved towards the confectionery market through the production of fruit-based products.

In 1978 Edgar's son, Grantley Sims, bought the fruit bar manufacturing plant from Tandy Lifesavers. In the 1980s honeycomb production was added with the purchase of Hoadley's South Australian Violet Crumble plant.

Philip and Richard Sims, the fourth generation rejoined the company during the 1990s having expanded their knowledge outside the family business after completing their studies. However, during their studies they were able to acquire a thorough understanding of the family business whilst working part time on the production floor.

In 1992, the confectionery business of Menz was acquired from Arnotts Biscuits, returning the famous Menz Crown Mint and FruChocs brands to South Australian ownership. In 2003 the Medlow confectionery business was purchased and, later that year, a showcase opened in the main street of McLaren Vale, adding to the existing retail outlet at Glynde.

At Glynde, the company produces FruChocs. Crown Mints, another South Australian icon product, first made in 1892, are sold nationally through the major supermarkets. The Medlow range of sugar dusted and choc coated gels are found in major department stores, on major airlines and on the pillows of five-star hotels.

Robern Menz, based at Glynde, in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide , is South Australia ’s largest confectioner, a market leading supplier of fruit-based confectionery, dried fruit and glace fruit under the Robern brand, one of the nation’s leading suppliers to grocery retailers of private label and house-branded products, and a leading national supplier to industrial and other food manufacturers. Recent awards are:

Winner SA Premiers Food Awards (Value Adding Large) 2006

SA Top 100 Businesses 2004 - 2006 (In Business)

Menz Fruchocs declared SA Icon 2005 (National Trust)

Robern Menz was inducted into the FBA(SA) Hall of Fame in 2004