MEDIA RELEASE
23 September 2020
Award winning Alpine Nurseries Alstonville is to double in size. Contracts have been exchanged for the neighbouring property making it the largest single nursery in the Green Group and one of the biggest in NSW.
The expansion demonstrates a firm commitment from the Green family and the Alpine Board in the future direction of the Alpine business and a vote of confidence in the whole Alpine team.
“We purchased Alpine Nurseries in 2018 based on the strength of the Alpine brand and the fact it was a good business to begin with” said Tony Green, Alpine Board Chairman. “This expansion will improve our offering to existing customers” says Green.
The 20 hectare property shares a common boundary with the existing Alstonville site and combined, will span over 38 hectares. The high level development plan consists of three stages to be built in rapid succession. Stage 1 is a 6 hectare canopy structure currently used for Blueberry production, which will be converted for growing popular shade loving plants.
The other two stages will be guided by market trends and will certainly result in increased stock availability and a broadening of Alpine’s homegrown range.
The expansion coincides with the promotion of Alstonville Production Manager, Ben Habershon to Operations Manager (Alstonville). Ben has been with Alpine Nurseries for over 13 years. Ben has responsibility to manage development of the new site with the support of project Construction Manager, Doug Blythe, an Alpine Alstonville development veteran.
The acquisition creates great opportunities across the business just like an improvement project already underway to increase propagation at Alstonville by 30% driven by the production increase. Not only does it provide for career development and the opportunity for taking on more responsibility, it is a clear statement about job security at Alpine – “we need good people to be part of and to help realise Alpine’s growth plans” says Green.
