Family Business Australia SA

FBA (SA) Media Release: 23 July 2009

THE ‘FAMILY’ TREE BEARS FRUIT FOR
2009 FAMILY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

From little things, big things grow – and that’s certainly been the case for Nippy’s, Kennett Builders and Detmold Packaging - the three South Australian family businesses inducted last night (July 22) into Family Business Australia’s prestigious Family Business Hall of Fame.

The Family Business Hall of Fame celebrates South Australian family businesses that are recognised in their fields of endeavour as state icons and historically reflect well on South Australian society. Inductions have been made each year since 2002 and previous inductees include prominent local family businesses such as Maggie Beer Products Pty Ltd, Trims, Angelakis Brothers, Coopers Brewery, CMV Group, Hamilton Labs, Haigh’s Chocolates, Drake Foodmarkets, Yalumba, Robern Menz and Alfred James & Sons.

While representing three different industries – food manufacturing, building and paper product manufacturing - Hall of Fame Convenor, Rodney Martin says they all share one common trait.

“Throughout their history, each of these businesses has drawn on the strength of family ties to see them through the tough times,” says Mr Martin. “They’ve also weathered their various economic and personal setbacks with invention, innovation and determination to become thriving 21st Century enterprises. It’s wonderful for the culture of business in South Australia to be able to celebrate the achievements of three local, family-owned companies in this way - and acknowledge their history and the role ‘family’ has played in their growth and success.”

The 2009 inductions were made at a formal dinner held at the Sebel Playford Hotel in Adelaide tonight (Wednesday July 22). The event was attended by around 140 guests – including employees, friends and associates of the new inductees, existing members of the Hall of Fame and others associated with family business. Guests heard an entertaining presentation by Dr Chris West – CEO of Zoos SA – comparing behavioural patterns found in both family businesses and certain species within the animal kingdom!

For further information on the three latest inductees – including company history and achievements: visit http://www.fbasa-hall-of-fame.com.au/

Brief Overview of 2009 Family Business Hall of Fame Inductees:

Nippy’s: Third generation family business Nippy’s is the only South Australian juice producer to distribute to supermarkets nationally – and does so using only South Australian produce. The company has come a long way from its humble start in 1933 when Alic Knipsel – fresh from high school – established a mixed fruit property in the Riverland town of Moorook. Alic grew, packaged and sold his oranges – and later those of neighbouring farmers – off the back of his truck at the East End Markets. As the industry developed and became more regulated, Alic changed his tack and began selling his juice direct to Adelaide ‘fruit bar’ outlets. Alic’s four sons were all introduced to the business early, hand-squeezing oranges in the family kitchen before school. Today Alic’s son Jeff, and his wife Tina, run the business which operates Nippy’s (fruit juices) at Regency Park, Nippy’s Waikerie Producers (fruit packing) and Knispel Brothers (UHT processing) at Moorook. Their son, Ben, is the company’s financial controller – taking the business to the third generation. www.nippys.com.au

Kennett Builders: Fourth generation family business Kennett Builders is the oldest family-owned and operated building company in South Australia. Charles and Cliff Kennett established their stonemasonry and bricklaying business, Kennett Brothers, in 1914. The business survived The Great Depression by hunting down work in rural SA constructing residences and farm buildings. Charles’ sons, Neil and Dean, - together with Hugh Simpson who married one of Cliff’s daughters - became the second generation company directors after WWII. During the 1960s they ventured into small commercial work – and Hugh and his son Geoff, focused on Housing Trust work – under the business name, Kennett Constructions. In 1981, Neil’s son John and Geoff Simpson bought out the other shareholders and focused the business on commercial building. During the recession years of the early ‘90s, the business again turned to country SA and Victoria for ongoing contracts and John Kennett became the sole owner of the Kennett group of companies. Since 2000, the business turnover and staff numbers has grown by a factor of four and in 2008 Kennetts won the Master Builders Association Commercial Builder of the Year Award. John’s sons, James and Scott, are the fourth generation working in the family business. www.kennettbuilders.com.au

Detmold Packaging: Third generation family business Detmold Packaging is a specialist converter of paper and board-based products for a diverse range of customers in Australia and around the world. Colin Detmold started the business in Adelaide in 1948 as CP Detmold Pty Ltd, after securing the distribution rights for some paper agency products. By 1952, he’d started manufacturing some lines of his own including wrapping papers and toilet roles. In 1956, Colin built a new factory in Brompton but by 1959 he had to stand down due to ill health. Although only 16 at the time, Colin’s son Rodney was ambitious to step into his father’s shoes and take the business national. The business grew rapidly through the ‘60s, 70s and 80s – due to Rodney’s knack for embracing change and innovation. Factories opened in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. The ‘80s saw growth into Asia – with new plants in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan and by 1995 the business was in China servicing new fast food outlets. The Phillipines, South Africa, Korea, the UK, Scandinavia and Canada followed. Rodney and his wife, Sully, have three daughters (Sascha, Pippa and Zoe) who all work in business today – carrying on the work ethic and passion of their father. www.detmold.com.au

Issued for FBA by Foster Hill PR & Marketing.
For more info, event images - or to arrange interviews with representatives from the three inducted companies – contact Skye Murtagh on 08 8231 3555.

SA Chapter HALL OF FAME

FBA (SA) Media Release: 23 July 2009