ANZ has today announced the 2024 class of high-performing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to participate in the ANZ Business Growth Program.
Developed by international entrepreneurial leadership expert Dr Jana Matthews, and UniSA's Australian Centre for Business Growth, the program is now in its tenth year and is designed to foster sustained business growth.
The ANZ Business Growth Program provides concentrated learning and facilitated group discussions over nine months to target real issues that growing companies face including stages of growth, leader responsibilities, and delegation.
ANZ General Manager Small to Medium Enterprise Banking, Paul Presland said: "The tenth year of this award-winning program is an exciting milestone. This year's companies represent a diverse range of businesses from across Australia and have been selected because of their global growth potential in numerous industries including manufacturing, medical, automotive, food, beverage and hospitality.
"At ANZ, we continue to invest in small to medium businesses, and are constantly looking for ways to support our customers to unlock their growth potential. ANZ Business Growth Program participants in our first seven classes generated over $1B in revenue last year, an increase of $535M since they graduated from the Program, increased their profit from $36M to $80M, and added 1,465 employees for a total of 3,291 employees."
Program alumni include some of the country's most recognisable brands such as Tasmania's renowned Ashgrove Cheese, mobile storage company TaxiBox, and hospitality uniform supplier Cargo Crew.
Program Director and ANZ Chair in Business Growth Dr Jana Matthews said: "We are delighted that ANZ has sponsored the ANZ Business Growth Program for ten years and that we have had the opportunity to work with so many growth companies."
"This program has demonstrated that business owners, some with no prior business education, can learn to grow their companies. And it's very gratifying to see that the companies in the ANZ Business Growth Program have achieved such growth. They tell us the program has been 'transformational' for them and their teams."
2024 Participants:
Barrier Group, VIC: Barrier Group is a manufacturer and distributor of standards-compliant workplace and pedestrian safety solutions. Starting with a single bollard, the group has grown into Australia's leading safety solution provider with a product portfolio covering all separation, access control, and worker safety needs.
Golden Bakery, WA: Golden Bakery is a family-owned business that has been supplying freshly baked goods to Western Australia since 1988. With a strong emphasis on both wholesale and retail operations, Golden Bakery has established itself as a trusted supplier to local supermarkets, cafes, lunch bars, and service stations.
Hellyers Road Distillery, TAS: Hellyers Road Distillery is Australia's oldest operating whisky distillery, producing fine Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky in remote Northwest Tasmania since its founding in 1997. That history has endowed Hellyers Road with the most important asset for a whisky distillery - barrels of whisky of rare quality - by far Australia's most significant bond store of aged whisky. With more than 30 major international awards, including Best Australian Single Malt Whisky in 2019, 2021 and 2022, Hellyers Road has been exporting to international markets for more than 10 years.
MIB Projects, WA: MIB Projects is a Pilbara Aboriginal Business with a strong presence in the Central Pilbara region of Western Australia. MIB Projects offers a wide range of Mining and Non-Process Infrastructure Services including road and corridor maintenance, bulk and detailed earthworks and turnkey Project Solutions. Being a Banjima Community Owned Business, the organisation is driven to cultivate sustainable pathways for employment through strategic partnerships, shared value arrangements, and supply chain integration programs. As trusted partners in the resource industry, MIB Traffic assists clients to maintain a strong social license to operate by actively engaging with local communities.
Parker Group, WA: Parker Group is at the forefront of transforming Western Australia's hospitality landscape. With a curated collection of renowned venues, including The Royal Hotel, Fleur, Willi's, The Standard, Dandelion, and the highly anticipated Busselton Pavilion, Parker Group seamlessly blends global inspiration with the best of regional talent, produce, and artisans. The meticulously crafted venues are renowned for their artful refinement, offering innovative culinary experiences and exceptional service. From coastal retreats to urban hotspots, each Parker Group establishment captivates discerning guests with its distinctive charm and unforgettable ambiance.
RWD Dental & Dental Fresh, NSW: RWD Dental Image is a full-service Dental Laboratory and Vertically integrated Dental Practice with an emphasis on full mouth reconstruction in dental implants and aesthetic dentistry. RWD Dental Image is an Australian owned, operated and made, independent family business, servicing dentists and patients nationally and setting the standard for dental lab services and unrivalled quality.
SMH Equipment, QLD: SMH Equipment was established in 2007 and specialises in custom Earthmoving Equipment Rental and Maintenance solutions to the mining, civil, construction and agricultural industries. With operations in two strategically positioned locations in Mount Isa and Townsville, SMH Equipment covers Northwest and Northeastern Queensland. Its mission is to align with clients and enable the delivery of sustainable infrastructure to Australia.
Septic System Australia, VIC: Septic Systems Australia (SSA) was established in Victoria in 2003 and is 100 per cent Australian owned and operated. SSA's core business is the installation, servicing and repairs of domestic, commercial and industrial septic systems. Their subsidiary, Harmor Services provides specialised liquid waste removal services for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental organisations. Its services include liquid vacuum removal, mechanical and civil sewage services.
St George Underwriting Agency, WA: St George Underwriting Agency (SGUA) is an Australian underwriter, specialising in protection for residential investment properties since 1991. The organisation's values are driven by a commitment to developing long term, rewarding relationships with brokers and focusing on outstanding customer service. St George Underwriting Agency has always focused on providing competitively priced, reliable products backed by personalised service from specialised underwriting, finance, distribution and claims teams.
Truck Tech, NSW: Truck Tech is a dynamic and innovative enterprise at the forefront of the truck maintenance industry. As Australia's largest independent heavy vehicle repairer, Truck Tech's unwavering dedication to excellence has garnered recognition within the industry. Truck Tech stands out as a leading force in the truck maintenance industry, delivering unparalleled services, advanced solutions, and exceptional customer satisfaction.
