Grochem Australia | The Early Days
Established in May 2014, Grochem Australia emerged with a clear focus on horticultural solutions in the Australian market. From the very beginning, the company aimed to fill a niche in an industry predominantly occupied by broader agricultural and animal health enterprises. Grochem Australia’s focus on the horticultural community set them apart, laying the foundation for a successful future.
Grochem Australia’s First Employee Ben Coombe
On July 1 2016, Ben officially became Grochem Australia’s first employee, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a vision for growth. Reflecting on his early days at Grochem, Ben shared, “To have a horticultural-focussed business in the Australian market was a unique opportunity. There are few businesses that focus solely on horticulture, which gave us a distinct advantage to support growers in achieve successful, thriving crops time and time again.”
The Melpat Integration
In July 2017, Grochem Australia made a significant move by acquiring Melpat, a strategic decision that would greatly enhance its portfolio. As Ben explained, “It was a like-minded business. At that time, Grochem Australia had a very strong Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) portfolio but lacked a robust fungicide range. Combining Grochem and Melpat made perfect sense; it allowed us to continue Hamish Turner’s vision, grow our capital, and merge our staff’s expertise. This consolidation strengthened our presence in the horticultural market.”
Reflections on Growth and Challenges
Looking back over the years, we reflect on the journey with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Ben quotes – “The past eight years have flown by quickly! From our early days as a small business to the acquisition and the subsequent expansion of our team and product range, it has been an exciting evolution. Personally, building a team with a ‘can do’ attitude and seeing our staff grow both professionally and personally has been incredibly rewarding.”
He also highlights the resilience of the company during challenging times. “Our ability to adapt swiftly during the supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 was a testament to our agility as a small business. We were able to react quickly to ensure that our customers and growers had the products they needed to continue their work.”
Staying True to Our Mission
Despite the ups and downs, Grochem Australia has remained committed to its core values. The company stayed true to supplying high-quality products and providing excellent service to customers. Building long-term relationships with suppliers has been crucial. Grochem Australia remained steadfast in navigating the highs and lows to ensure they consistently supplied customers with what they needed.
A Legacy of Innovation and Support
The story of Grochem Australia is one of growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the horticultural industry. As the company transitions to 7 Worlds Ag, it carries forward a legacy of innovation and support that has been integral to its success.
To learn more about Grochem Australia’s evolution to 7 Worlds Ag, and what’s next, explore our article ‘Embracing the Future | The Evolution to 7 Worlds Ag’ – read more here.