Management changes herald expansion plans at Nutworks
Wayne Gersbach and Kylie Watson with Founding Member and Chairman of the board since 1995 Keith Ryan, centre.
After 18 years with local Macadamia processor, Nutworks in Yandina, Kylie Watson has stepped aside as the CEO. Wayne Gersbach, who has been Nutworks as the CFO for over eight years has been appointed as Kylie’s successor.
“Kylie will be moving on to a position as a Director of the Board, just in time to usher in what we feel will be a period of substantial growth for the Company,” Wayne said. “We are moving part of our operations to a newly acquired facility in Cooroy as we are gradually pushing out the walls here in Yandina. It is a very exciting time for both the company and the industry”.
From humble beginnings in 1993 as a central facility purpose-built to crack and sort the region’s macadamias for supply to local businesses, Nutworks has gone from strength to strength to employ 45 locals.
The company now exports nuts, chocolates and sweets worldwide, and are consistently developing new uses and products for the popular nut.
“We have enjoyed significant growth over the past couple of years thanks to the proximity of growers from Bundaberg to Glasshouse, and innovative farming practices that are ensuring world class produce, as well as protecting our environment,” said Wayne.
Entomologist Chris Fuller, is a member of the Nutworks team and is a passionate advocate for Australian native bees, and supporting farming practices that minimize harm and disruption to our bees through thoughtful use of pesticides.
“We are all looking forward to the projected expansion of the coming years,” Wayne said.
“Macadamia nuts are only growing in popularity and we are exploring as many ways as we can to maximize each crop, including collaborations with local artisan brewers and distillers such as Terella Brewery and Sunshine and Sons. So watch this space!”
About Macadamias
Did you know the macadamia is native to Australia, particularly north eastern New South Wales and central and south eastern Queensland?
Long before European settlement, the macadamia nut formed part of the diet of Aboriginal people in these regions.
They were highly valued, and also traded between tribes and used as special ceremonial gifts at inter-tribal corroborees.
The German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt collected the macadamia in the 1840s from the Conondale ranges near Maleny.
However, the plant was not officially named until 1857.
Ferdinand von Mueller, a British botanist, named it after Dr John Macadam, a chemist, medical man and member of the legislative assembly for Castlemaine in Victoria.