Inghams Enterprises
Inghams Enterprises is an Australian-based poultry supplier and producer. The company was founded in 1918 by Walter Ingham. On his death in 1953, his two sons, Jack and Bob Ingham took over the small breeding operation and built it into the largest producer of chickens and turkeys in Australia. Headquartered in Sydney's Liverpool, the company has annual sales of more than $1.5 billion and a workforce in excess of six thousand people.
[edit] Timeline
The company started in Sydney’s outer west in 1918 when Walter Ingham embarked on a fruit and vegetable farming venture, eventually moving into the poultry business. Starting with just one cockerel and six hens, his flock quickly grew to 1,000 birds. When Walter died, sons Jack and Bob took over the family business and nurtured it into the modern day Ingham empire.
1918: Walter Ingham Sr. bought 42 acres (170,000 m2) of bush land in Casula as a gift to 18-year-old son, Walter.
1920s: As with most farmers during this time, Inghams was self-sufficient and produced feed for their own poultry and horses. Most work was pre-mechanised so back-breaking work included ploughing the fields.
1942: Played a vital part in providing Australians with poultry products during the Second World War. Women contributed to the war effort by working on farms.
1953: Walter Ingham died at age 51; Jack and Bob took over the family business.
1958: Built first processing plant at Casula, NSW
Early to mid 1960s: New styles and techniques of packaging and processing led to Inghams’ involvement in the rapid process of expansion and development of the poultry industry. Ingham became a household name throughout Australia.
1963: Acquired 50% of A.A. Tegel turkey, and took the company over completely in 1994.
1965: Bob Ingham purchased first two trotters. By 1970, Bob and Jack were the biggest trotting owners in Australia. They had 650 race wins by 31 July 1974.
1968: the first KFC restaurant opened in Sydney. In 1976, KFC and Inghams aligned in a business partnership, providing new opportunities for both companies.
1972: Acquired 26% of Chickadee Food Pty Ltd.
Mid 1980s: Dramatic shift to food processing creating a revolution for the poultry industry. The McDonald'schicken nugget product, developed by Tyson in the United States, was launched in Australia .
1990: Expanded into New Zealand through the acquisition of Harvey Farms, the number two chicken processor that country. The New Zealand market was at that time dominated by Tegel Foods, then owned by Goodman Fielder.
1995: Due to enormous popularity, Inghams built a dedicated plant strictly to produce McDonald’s nuggets.
Late 1990s: Inghams most well-known thoroughbred horse, Octagonal, became a household name with 28 starts, 24 wins, 7 seconds and 1 third placement resulting in nearly $6 million in earnings. In 1995-1996, it was voted Australian Champion Three Year Old and Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year.
2001: Ingham established Murarrie poultry processing plant, the largest in the country with the most sophisticated machinery, production and supply chain technologies employing approximately 1,200 workers.
2003: Jack Ingham dies at age 74
2004-05: Lonhro, son of Octagonal, had 35 starts with 26 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds earning nearly the same amount as his father.
2008: Dubai’s Sheikh bought Inghams’ thoroughbred horse breeding business, incorporating it into the Darley Stud.
Another passion – horses:
Jack and Bob’s passion for horseracing began during the days they’d spend with their father at the race tracks. Along with the poultry business, the brothers also inherited Valiant Rose, which was a descendent broodmare of a champion British racehorse. In the 1960, they began building their thoroughbred horse racing and breeding operations. This passion became the largest thoroughbred dynasty in Australia until Bob sold the entire operation in 2008.
