80 years of serving wholesalers

Ensuring a voice for wholesalers in matters concerning the fresh produce industry has been the goal of Brismark for 80 years. Since its humble beginnings in 1941, the organisation has grown to also provide essential business services and support for independent retailers who help to make Brisbane Markets thrive. Established as The Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries, Brismark’s roots stretch to the early 1900s, when a committee was formed to address fruit and vegetable industry matters of the time. These included controlling the supply chain of produce on the black market and price fixing, advocating for market trading hours, congestion on roads, and the provision of credit. The need for a formal entity became clear following World War II, when legislation was put in place without industry consultation. On 20 March 1941 the Chamber was registered as a trade association, becoming a cooperative in the late 40s. The Chamber’s mission was to be “a highly effective and professional employer organisation operating in the best interest of our members as a group, through excellence in representation and service, with a commitment to our market, the central market system, and the horticultural industry”. “The first move towards unity was largely prompted by the introduction of war related legislation. Wholesalers collectively had no input to this legislation, due to the lack of a representative voice,” Gary Lower, Brismark’s current and longest serving Chair, said. It didn’t take long for the Chamber to expand its focus from industry representation to business-related services to benefit members. The early years of the organisation saw it implementing a credit control scheme by registering buyers for credit, a precursor to the Credit Service which would follow some 30 years later. In the 1950s, discussions turned to the proposed relocation of the congested inner-city markets precinct and in 1964 Brisbane Markets was established in its current location. While based at the inner-city markets, the Chamber purchased a selling floor tenancy and established a hardware and stationery store to provide wholesalers with allied business services. After the move to Rocklea, the shop front sales ideas was expanded to include a hardware store, a garden and nursery centre, stationer, packaging supplies, night unloading, travel service and it even broadcast fresh produce prices from a radio studio. By the 1970s, bad debts had become a problem for wholesalers and during a World Market Study Tour in 1972, a Brisbane Markets delegation was inspired to establish a credit control scheme. Despite strong opposition, the Credit Service was established on 1 July 1973. “The establishment of the Credit Service, and the Bad Debt Reserve ten years later, are some of the most significant achievements of the Chamber,” Mr Lower said. By the end of the 80s, the Chamber adopted the trading name Brismark, an amalgamation of Brisbane Marketers and Brisbane Market. Over the years, Brismark’s service offering has evolved based on the changing needs of the industry and its members. In the 90s, the organisation developed an education and training service, and introduced a food safety quality assurance program, all of which continue to operate today. Another cornerstone has been its support for independent retailers, funding advertising campaigns promoting the consumption of fresh produce since the 50s, and establishing retail programs such as Fresh Fest, Your Local Fruit Shop, and now, as part of a nation-wide A better choice!

Most significant, however, was the establishment of the entity Landacq Limited in 1994 to pursue ownership of a state-of-the-art central market and distribution facility. Brismark had been lobbying the state government for some years to sell the Brisbane Markets and - with industry support from growers, wholesalers, provedores and the retailing sector - led a successful bid to purchase the site in 2002. “An extraordinary effort of commitment and professionalism of the then

Brismark’s original offices at Building D at Brisbane Markets, Rocklea.

Former Chairs of Brismark.

The hardware store Brismark operated in the Brisbane Markets Commercial Centre.

Executive and negotiating team were critical to the successful bid to buy the Brisbane Markets,” Mr Lower said. Landacq Ltd is now known as Brisbane Markets Limited, and Brismark remains a major shareholder. “Owning shares in Brisbane Markets Limited has been a hard-fought strategic initiative that has benefited all of Brismark’s members, and something we will fight hard to keep,” Mr Lower said. Eighty years on, Brismark continues to operate on its founding values of representation and service to the fruit and vegetable industry, providing a range business services, partnerships, and a collective voice on industry matters.