Cover Story
Issue No. 35 - June/July 2007
Family value springs to mind
Condiment producer Spring Gully Foods topped the 4th Generation Category at this year's South Australian Family Business Awards.
The firm, one of Australia's major producers of condiments, relishes and sauces was founded on an orange orchard purchase in 1946 by agricultural entrepreneur Edward McKee.
It began its first era of expansion when Edward's son-in-law, Allan McMillan, stepson Eric Webb and friend, Malcolm Clyma, joined the Rostrevor-based business. Demand for Edward's pickled onions, distributed through supermarket chains in SA and WA, soon grew the Spring Gully into a firm of national significance.
It was time for revitalisation by the time Allan McMillan's sons, Bryan and Gary, and Eric Webb's sons, Ross and Kevin, joined Spring Gully in the 1980s they began modernising plant and introducing best practice and quality control systems.
In 1993, the company moved to a new facility at Cavan that was purpose-built for making Spring Gully Pickles. The brand established itself in Australia's eastern states and began developing export markets.
But the team also recognised the need for diversification and today Spring Gully Pickles is one of several popular Australian brands that form Spring Gully Foods.
In 2002 Spring Gully Foods bought the Gardener brand from Berri Limited, consolidating its position in the Australian condiment and relish market, and the Leabrook Farms honey brand from Coopers Brewery, making it one of the country's largest producers of 100% Australian honey.
It also recently acquired a new bottled water product called Nuqua.
This focused, deliberate expansion strategy is what attracted judges' attention this year. Family businesses entered in the Awards needed to demonstrate how they met the specific needs of high achieving family businesses.
“We strongly believe that what is good for the business will ultimately be best for the family - meaning that eve...
