SPC Australia

Started in 1917 by a group of fruit growers in Victoria's Goulburn Valley as a cooperative which they named the Shepparton Fruit Preserving Co. Ltd. The company began operations in February 1918, canning pears, peaches and nectarines under the brand name of SPC. SPC was incorporated as a public listed company in 1919, and Ardmona opened in 1921.

SPC Ardmona was formed in 2002 by the merger of the former Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC) and Ardmona.{{cite web|url=http://spcardmona.com.au/about-us/our-rich-history |title=Our Rich History |publisher=SPC Ardmona |date=25 February 2006 |access-date=11 March 2014}}

SPC Ardmona was bought by Coca-Cola Amatil in 2005 for {{AUD|750 million}}.{{Cite news |date=2018-08-22 |title=UPDATE 1-Australia's Coca-Cola Amatil says open to sale of packaging unit SPC |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/coca-cola-amatil-divestiture-idUSL3N1VD00R |access-date=2023-05-09}} In that time, CCA had also invested about {{AUD|250 million}} in infrastructure, and the Victorian government had provided {{AUD|22 million}} in co-investment.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/coca-cola-amatil-to-sell-historic-spc-business-for-40-million-20190604-p51u8b.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Coca-Cola Amatil to sell historic SPC business for $40 million |first=Darren |last=Gray |date=4 June 2019 |access-date=5 March 2020}}

It acquired IXL and Taylors brands in 2004,.{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/12/1084289727079.html |title=SPC to acquire IXL for $51 m |publisher=www.theage.com.au |date=12 May 2004 |work=The Age |access-date=11 March 2014}}

However, under Coca-Cola Amatil ownership, the company faced significant financial struggles.

SPCA closed its Mooroopna processing plant in 2011 and its Kyabram factory was sold in 2019.{{cite news| author= Mitchell, Sue | url=http://www.theland.com.au/story/3592954/canning-not-so-peachy/ | title=Canning not so peachy | publisher=The Land | date=1 May 2013 | access-date=21 December 2013}}

In 2012, SPCA disposed $100 million of fruit bought under contract because it could not be sold, blaming it on "plummeting" local and export orders. A former Coca-Cola Asia executive, Peter Kelly, went to the company in April 2013 to attempt to turn it around.{{cite news |author=Neales, Sue | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/without-a-25m-pledge-spc-risks-going-under/stoNerg6nf-1226733234817 |title=Without a $25m pledge, SPC 'risks going under |newspaper=The Australian |date=5 October 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013}}

SPC Ardmona lost $25 million in 2013, compared to a $70 million profit 8 years earlier. In October 2013, SPCA sought {{AUD}}50 million financial assistance from the Federal and Victorian governments to modernise its operation. It wanted the Victorian Government to match the Federal grant.{{cite news |author=Heath, Joanna |url=http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/spc-rattles-the-can/2682458.aspx?storypage=2 |title=SPC rattles the can |publisher=The Land |date=20 December 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113748/http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/agribusiness/general-news/spc-rattles-the-can/2682458.aspx?storypage=2 |url-status=dead }} In early 2014, SPCA sought $25 million of Federal government assistance as part of a plan to upgrade the Shepparton cannery which was rejected.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Ben|title=Abbott government rejects aid package for SPC Ardmona |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/abbott-government-rejects-aid-package-for-spc-ardmona/story-fn59niix-1226813766357|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=The Australian}} Shortly afterwards however, the Victorian Government announced that $22 million would be provided.{{cite web |author=Whittaker, Jarrod |title=$22m lifeline for SPC Ardmona |url=http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/shepparton/22m-lifeline-for-spc-ardmona-1.67420 |date=11 March 2014 |work=Shepparton News |access-date=13 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222013540/http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/shepparton/22m-lifeline-for-spc-ardmona-1.67420 |url-status=dead }}

In November 2016, Woolworths ended its contract with SPCA for the supply of tinned tomatoes and would not renew it. However, the five-year deal to provide tinned fruit was ongoing.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/09/woolworths-walks-away-from-spc-ardmona-deal-on-tinned-tomatoes|title=Woolworths walks away from SPC Ardmona deal on tinned tomatoes|author=Guardian Staff|date=8 November 2016|last2=agencies|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=5 January 2017}}

In June 2019, it was announced that Coca-Cola Amatil had sold the SPC business to a group called Shepparton Partners Collective, now known as SPC Global Limited, for $40 million. Shepparton Partners Collective was a joint venture between Perma Funds Management, a boutique investment house, and The Eights, a private equity firm. The sale was subject to a four-year deferred payment which, subject to business performance, could generate a further $15 million for Coca-Cola on top of the money paid up-front.{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Darren |title=Coca-Cola Amatil to sell historic SPC business for $40 million |url=https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/coca-cola-amatil-to-sell-historic-spc-business-for-40-million-20190604-p51u8b.html |access-date=4 June 2019 |work=The Age |date=4 June 2019}} As part of the turnaround strategy, the business sold the IXL and Taylors brands with the Kyabram factory in 2019 to a group of farmers and growers in the Goulburn Valley.{{cite news |url=https://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news/spc-succeeds-with-ixl-and-kyabram-factory-sale |title=SPC succeeds with IXL and Kyabram factory sale |first=Wayne |last=Robinson |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=5 March 2020 |newspaper=Food & Drink Business}}

In August 2021, SPC Global mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff, contractors, and visitors becoming the first Australian company to mandate vaccines for all onsite staff and visitors.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Henrietta Cook, Dominic Powell, Cassandra |date=2021-08-05 |title=Australian workplaces set to follow SPC's move on mandatory jabs |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-workplaces-set-to-follow-spc-s-move-on-mandatory-jabs-20210805-p58g61.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

In 2021, SPC introduced the manufacturing and distribution of healthy beverages through its new acquisitions of the brand, Helping Humans, and ready to eat meals through, the Kuisine Co. and The Good Meal Co.

In the 2020-21 Financial Year, SPC reported a consolidated profit after tax of A$11.8 million. In 2021-22 it returned a consolidated profit after tax of A$24 million.

Currently, Hussein Rifai is the Chairman of the company. From 2023-2024, Neil Brimacombe was CEO.{{cite news |last=McCubbing |first=Gus |date=August 11, 2023 |title=New SPC boss wants a fair go for his baked beans |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/manufacturing/new-spc-boss-plan-to-take-baked-beans-to-asia-20230811-p5dvq8 |access-date=17 November 2023}}

In 2024 SPC merged with the Original Juice Company and Nature One Dairy, under the new trading name SPC Global, with Robert Iervasi as Managing Director.https://www.abc.net.au/article/104421106 Through a backdoor listing, SPC Global relisted on the ASX in December 2024 after a 20 year absence with the ticker of SPG.{{cite web |title=Thomson Geer advises on merger, ASX listing to create leading Australian food and beverage company |url=https://www.tglaw.com.au/insights/thomson-geer-advises-on-merger-asx-listing-to-create-leading-australian-food-and-beverage-company |website=Thomson Geer |date=December 16, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025}}{{cite web |title=Cannery back on the stock exchange as SPC Global |url=https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/cannery-back-on-the-stock-exchange-as-spc-global |website=Australian Manufacturing Forum |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2025}}

SPC Global carries the SPC, Goulburn Valley, Ardmona, Provital, Pomlife and Helping Humans brands under its SPC business unit.

In its first H1 results announcement since relisting on the ASX, SPC Global announced a net loss after tax of A$23.9 million on A$197.9 million revenue. SPC generated A$139 million during the period.{{cite web |title=SPC's Nature One Dairy: Natural Ingredients Boost Revenue |url=https://insidefmcg.com.au/2025/02/28/spcs-nature-one-dairy-natural-ingredients-boost-revenue/ |website=Inside FMCG |date=28 February 2025 |access-date=4 March 2025}}

The SPC Football Club won the 1945 Goulburn Valley Football Association – Lightning Premiership which was held on the King's Birthday public holiday.{{cite web |title=1945 - GVFA - Lightning Premiership |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187167109 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=20 July 2020 |date=25 January 1945|page=8}}

SPC were runners up to Shepparton East in the 1945 Goulburn Valley Football Association grand final.{{cite web |title=1945 - Goulburn Valley FA - Grand Final match review |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170428901 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=20 July 2020 |date=25 September 1945|page=5}}

SPC defeated Numurkah in the 1948 Central Goulburn Valley Football League's seconds grand final.{{cite web |title=1948 - Central Goulburn Valley FL - Seconds Grand Final Teams |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169562766 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=12 August 2020 |date=1 October 1948|page=2}}{{cite web |title=1948 - Central Goulburn Valley FA - Grand Final match review |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169562885 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=12 August 2020 |date=5 October 1948|page=2}} and in 1949 SPC were defeated by Shepparton in the 1949 Central Goulburn Valley Football League's senior football grand final.{{cite web |title=1949 - CGVFL - Grand Final Match Preview / Teams |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188084643/19239812 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=22 July 2020 |date=16 September 1949|page=4}}{{cite web |title=1949 - CGVFL - Grand Final match review |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188084783 |via=Trove Newspapers |work=Shepparton Advertiser |access-date=22 July 2020 |date=20 September 1949|page=2}}

SPC merged with Shepparton East in 1950 to form City United, later named the Shepparton United Football Club and entered a senior team in Goulburn Valley Football League.

• SPC
• Ardmona
• Goulburn Valley
• SPC ProVital
• Street Eats
• Pomlife
• The Good Meal Co
• Nature One Dairy
• Original Juice Company

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.spc.com.au/}}
• {{cite web|url= http://ccamatil.com/InvestorRelations/md/2014/MR_New%20Woolworth%20and%20SPC%20partnership%20a%20win%20for%20industry%20and%20Aussie%20growers_F.pdf |title=New Woolworths & SPC Partnership A Win For Industry And Aussie Growers }} {{small|(110Kb)}}

Category:Australian companies established in 1917

Category:Food and drink companies established in 1917

Category:Food and drink companies of Australia

Category:Australian jam and preserved fruit makers

Category:Canned food

Category:Baked beans

Category:Convenience foods

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange