In Australia there is a company specializing in processing and selling macadamia nuts that is called Macadamia Processing Company (MPC), which currently occupies the leading position in the international macadamia industry. It processes between 10,000 and 13,000 metric tons of macadamia nuts annually，which is 20%~30% of all Australian crops. In 2017, It’s after-tax income reached more than $2.4 million, a roughly 33% increase from $1.8 million in 2016. However the company started with just 4 people and now has only 30 permanent employees.

In 1983, Phill Zadro and his partner Peter Fusarelli decided to start a macadamia processing company that should be 100% owned by growers. The company started with very basic equipment in a humble shed in which the company processed 53 tons of nut-in-shell (NIS) and produced 13 tons of kernels , and earned just over $100,000 in its first year.

 MPC’s first factory at Blue Hills Road Goonellabah-1983

Two years later founders moved their Factory to Lismore Industry Estate, and bought 14 acres of land on which they built their own factory. When the factory started operation, it was able to process 400 tons of NIS , 8 times of productiveness compared with the production in its first founding year that is only 2 years ago.

Although MPC was still a small company at that time, 16 hours/day and 5 days/week labour intensity was still demanded during harvest seasons. The effort paid off. In 1985 MPC exported its first container filled with macadamia kernels, and in 1986 MPC opened its first overseas market in Hawaii.

The completed factory and kiosk facility-1986

In 1989, MPC set up the “Macadamia Magic” as a trade brand for a more profitable market—Retailing. The logo has become the prototype of today’s official brand logo.

The official brand logo for nowadays

However, in 1990, it was really a bolt from the blue, the first Gulf War broke out. MPC lost its biggest order from Hawaii. Most of the products remained unsold. During the war time, the international situation continued to be turbulent and the global demand of macadamia nuts fallen rapidly. Although the company had put its effort in international market expanding, the price still dropped to $2.11/kg and Pill resigned as the Chairman of the board.

The First Gulf War

In 1992, after the Gulf War the international demand of macadamia nuts has recovered. MPC processed 3000 tones of NIS in its newly-built factory，and 890 tons of kernels was supplied to the market. MPC earned a turnover of more than $12 million. It became the second largest macadamia processing company in the world, the largest in Australia.

In 1995 MPC merged with Suncoast Gold and became the dominant global player in the international macadamia market. At this point MPC was developing fast toward an international giant in the macadamia market.

Resorting kernel on the mainline in the mid-‘90’s

From 2000 to 2003 MPC achieved a spectacular transformation. It not only gained reputation through supporting the Sydney Olympic Games, But also improved efficiency and started to realizing its scale business. More advanced equipments and technologies were widely applied to the storage, cracking, screening and packaging lines. At this time, the revenue for the year reached $56.6 million and the company had reached a processing capacity of 12800 tons of NIS per year as well.

In 2003 MPC became the first candidate processor to receive food safety inspections, audits and certifications from the American Institute of Bakers (AIB international) and was awarded the highest possible rating of “ Superior” in 2006.

Aerial shot of factory complex in 2005

In 2011 MPC acquired 50% stakes in Pacific Gold Macadamia (PGM) at Bundaberg, Queensland and established the well known company named Macadamia Marketing International (MMI) focusing on the global trade of Macadamia nuts.

To further safeguard food safety, MPC became the first processor in the world who had successfully installed the Pasteurization technology. It cost $1.7 million.

 MPC’s main processing line in 2014

Today  MPC has been established for more than 30 years, from a small company with 4 people , it has developed into the international macadamia giant enterprise and industry leader with 180 shareholders and has annual turnover of more than $80 million with net profit of more than $21 million, but it only needs 30 permanent employees and 140 seasonal employees to make the company work.

Founders of MPC made a wish 30 years ago to start a macadamia processing company that is 100% owned by growers. Until today this structure has never changed. Stakeholders are all growers who are the strongest support of MPC, but not all suppliers are necessarily shareholders. Overall, MPC has always represented the interests of growers.