Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Robert Giles, CEO of SPC, about the sale of the company from Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) and his first year in the role. We start with an overview of SPC and Rob's work with the company during the sale process, including the importance of communication and the effort associated with keeping the company operating while dealing with prospective buyers and managing staff concerns.

Following the successful sale, Robert tells us that SPC now has a goal of growing to a 1.5 billion dollar company within three years, all while transitioning away from CCA's various processes and administrative systems. He also covers SPC's recent acquisition of two other companies and the benefits to be achieved with them then tells us about SPC's work to help develop skills in the area through scholarships for disadvantaged students in association with GOTAFE.

We then discuss the impact of COVID-19 including consumers stocking up on goods and keeping retailers stocked. This leads to a discussion of weather impacts and other issues that make agriculture businesses a dynamic environment to operate in.

The episode wraps up with a discussion of SPC's plans for 2021 and then what keeps Robert excited about going to work every day.

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The Food & Drink Business Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Food & Drink Business, owned and published by Yaffa Media.

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MC: Grant McHerron

Host: Kim Berry

Producer: Steve Visscher

Food & Drink Business - © 2020