In a market dominated by multinational corporations, Richgro stands proudly as one of the few remaining Australian-owned garden product manufacturers.
What sets us apart even further, is our family history – Richgro has been proudly Australian family operated for over 100 years and four generations of the Richards family with current Chairman Geoff Richards and sons, Tim, as Managing Director and Matt, Projects Manager.
Richgro’s story is deeply rooted in Australian soil, where we have cultivated a legacy of quality, innovation, and family values for over 108 years. And we’re still here today.
Established in 1916 by Arthur Richards, what began as A. Richards & Co., a local grocer and general merchant, has grown into a renowned name in garden products across the nation.
Our Legacy Begins: 1916
Richgro’s journey started in Cannington, Western Australia, in 1916 when Arthur Richards, Geoff’s grandfather, registered A. Richards Pty Ltd. With a strong commitment to serving the local community, we initially traded as grocers and general merchants, laying the foundation for our future growth.
Arthur Richards sold everyday essentials, such as groceries and bags of chaff, oats and hay, which he would collect from the markets at about 4am every morning.
On his way back to Cannington from the markets in the city, people would stop him in the street and ask him if they could buy a bag. From these humble beginnings, Arthur’s business prospered and he began to supply poultry supplies to farmers, before dipping his toe into the sale of fertiliser in the 1920s.
Geoff recalls stories of his late grandfather, as he was once known as an avid gardener, winning a prize for the best rose garden in WA in 1933.
Unfortunately, Arthur Richards died suddenly in 1945, but as fate would see it, his son Jack had just completed his duties in the Second World War and was searching for his next career direction. Jack took over the reins and this began the dynasty of the Richards sons joining the company, which continues today.
The Birth of the Richgro Brand: 1964
Ten years after taking the reigns, Jack shifted the company’s direction, choosing to focus on the supply and manufacture of stock and poultry food. According to Geoff, Jack had a keen interest in stockfeed through a previous career placing at David Gray and Co. – a stockfeed company located in West Perth at the time. “Dad was an auditor there and he learnt a bit about it and that’s what he always harboured the dream of doing” . Geoff chose to follow in his father’s footsteps, taking on odd jobs here and there to cover his father’s ill health. “I wanted to do Agricultural Science at university, but Dad was constantly getting sick so I came home and worked and loved what I was doing and stayed with it,” he said.
“I was 18 when I started with the company and went and did five years of accountancy at night school while I was working for Dad.” Just like his father, Geoff burst into the company with fresh ideas of where he thought A. Richards and Co. was heading into the future. “I always had a tendency to go into odd things, so we did horse protein mixes, pig supplements and all sorts of things,” he said.
“In 1966 we closed our grocery division and my Dad said to me, ‘what are you going to do?’ and I said, ‘there are two things associated with what we do now; pet food and garden products’.
“I think I got to know the drivers in both the pet food industry and the garden products sector and I just saw an opportunity.” Jack backed his belief in Geoff to drive the company further, changing the name from A. Richards and Co. to what it is known as today, Richgro.
National Expansion: 1980s
The severe water restrictions and drought in Western Australia during the 1980’s prompted us to diversify our market into the Eastern States.
By the end of the decade, Richgro had become one of the top five national garden products suppliers in Australia.
In 1988, we relocated our head office and production to Jandakot, where we continue to grow.
Innovating Through the Years: 1990s-2000s
Throughout the 1990’s, we increased production capacity, secured overseas product ideas, and continued our national expansion. The 2000’s saw the installation of fully automated packaging plants, ensuring we could meet the high seasonal demands of our industry.
In the 2000s, business was booming and the desire for a purpose-built Trade Centre became a reality. Located at the Jandakot site, the Richgro Trade Centre was
officially opened in 2003 to supply specialist growing mixes to wholesale nurseries, landscapers and landscape architects. Managed by staff that are highly qualified in horticulture, the commercial division remains an integral part of the Richgro business today.
In 2004, we acquired Amazon Soils, one of WA’s largest manufacturers of bulk mulch, compost, potting mix and blended soils, hence further expanding our capabilities and offerings.
Commitment to Quality and Sustainability: 2005 and Beyond
With a strong commitment to quality, the company became an ISO9001 Quality Endorsed company in 2005, with the Richgro’s new laboratory opening just months later. Our laboratory continues to provide essential testing for the horticultural industry.
The late 2000s marked our entry into the natural products market with the launch of Beat-A-Weed Natural Weedkiller and the acquisition of award-winning Natural Beat-A-Bug, enhancing our range of safer, natural garden products.
Leading in Sustainability: 2014
In 2014, Richgro launched one of the most successful and innovative practices in the company’s history – the anaerobic digester plant. At the time, the first of its kind in Australia, the plant takes 100% of food waste collected from various industries and converts this into methane gas, which we then use to run our power generators, feeding this power back into the grid. This significantly reduces our carbon emissions and provides enough energy to run our whole manufacturing site.
In addition to reducing the amount of food waste from ending up in landfill, Richgro’s anaerobic digester plant produces clean energy and power that can be used by Western Australian households.This initiative is a testament to our dedication to a greener future.
The future holds many exciting developments with this plant, including how the waste products can be used as organic fertiliser.
The Significance of Being a Family Business
Being a family-owned business for over a century means more to us than just heritage; it represents our unwavering commitment to the values that have guided us since our inception. Each generation of the Richards family has brought new ideas and innovations while upholding the principles of integrity, quality, and customer care established by Arthur Richards.
Our Commitment to Quality
As a family business, we understand the importance of trust and reliability. Our name is on every product, and we take pride in ensuring that each item meets the highest standards. This personal stake in the quality of our products drives us to continuously improve and innovate, offering our customers the best solutions for their gardening needs.
A Culture of Care
At Richgro, being a family business means caring deeply about our employees, customers, and the environment. We treat our team like family, fostering a supportive and collaborative workplace where everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared success. This culture of care extends to our customers, who trust us to provide products that enhance their gardens and their lives.
A Legacy of Sustainability
Our commitment to quality goes hand-in-hand with our dedication to sustainability. As we look to the future, we strive to create products that are not only effective but also environmentally friendly. From our natural product lines to our innovative anaerobic digester, we are constantly seeking ways to reduce our environmental footprint and promote a healthier planet.
Looking Forward
Richgro remains a proud Australian family-owned business, now in its fourth generation. Unlike many of our competitors who have sold out to large multinationals, we have stayed true to our roots. Our ongoing success is a tribute to the vision and values instilled by our founders, and we continue to honour their legacy by delivering high-quality, innovative, and sustainable products to our customers.
Proudly Australian-Owned and Operated
In a market dominated by multinational corporations, Richgro stands proudly as one of the few remaining Australian-owned garden product manufacturers. We are immensely proud to distribute our products around the country, providing high-quality products that Australians trust and rely on.
Our Australian ownership is not just a point of pride but a testament to our commitment to maintaining and growing local expertise and jobs. As competitors have sold out to larger international entities, we have remained steadfast in our dedication to Australian values, ensuring that every product reflects the integrity and quality that come from being a true Australian business. This loyalty to our roots and our customers underscores our mission to be the premier garden products supplier in Australia, continuously innovating while staying true to our heritage.
Join Us in Our Journey
As we look to the future, we remain committed to being the leading garden products supplier in Australia, leveraging our rich history and family-owned status to provide the best for our customers and the environment.
The Australian landscape is ever-changing, as is the way we live. Join us as we continue to grow and innovate, nurturing our gardens and our heritage for generations to come.
