Scalzo Food Industries and Sutton Tools inducted to FBA’s Victorian Hall of Fame

VIC Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees, Scaltzo Food Industries with FBA CEO Greg Griffith & FBA VIC Committee Chair Jeremy Manford and Sutton Tools with CEO Greg Griffith

The VIC 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees were announced on Wed 30 November at the Hall of Fame End of Year Event designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution family businesses make to the state’s economy, community and culture.

Scalzo Food Industries and Sutton Tools were commended for the demonstration of family business best practices and excellence in their industries.

FBA VIC Chairman Jeremy Manford said the annual awards provide an opportunity for family businesses to recognise the achievements and hard work of the Inductees, be inspired by these outstanding companies as well as celebrate the successes in their own family businesses.

Scalzo Food Industries was established in 1977 supplying a large range of food ingredients and FMCG products and has grown to become one of the largest privately owned food companies in Australia. In 2007 the CEO and founder Quin Scalzo passed the role on to his son Michael Scalzo with the third generation now also involved in the business. An acquisition in early 2015 means the company now exports to around 12 countries in Europe, Asia and recently won the Victorian Government Regional exporter of the year award for 2016.

CEO, Michael Scalzo identifies his family business values as being “groundedness, an entrepreneurial spirit, trust, generosity and integrity” and reflects that being inducted into the Hall of Fame “is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements to date and also offers the younger generation the opportunity to identify with the spirit of the family business founders – for example persistence in the face of adversity, innovative thinking and sensible planning with calculated risk-taking”.

Sutton Tools was founded in 1917 by William Sutton at the age of 54 after emigrating from England with his family. Back in England William was recognised as one of the country’s leading tool engineers and to this day the company maintains its reputation for manufacturing quality tools with a strong focus on customer service and employee engagement. Even as early as the 1950’s the company was exporting to countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia recognising that exporting was a critical aspect of the business, not only due to the sales revenue generated, but more importantly the exposure to international markets and competitors.

Managing Director, Peter Sutton says one of the aspects they are most proud of is their commitment to maintaining a local manufacturing base and says the Hall of Fame “provides an opportunity to be recognised for this commitment to the Australian economy and community and we hope this will inspire other family businesses to disregard the easy option of offshoring and chasing short term gains. As with many family businesses we take a longer term approach, reinvesting, working hard and smart and never being complacent”.

The inductees were announced at the Hall of Fame cocktail party held tonight (Wednesday, November 30) at Feast of Merit, a YGAP Project.