THE mix of extraordinary growth in the packaging industry, and the community’s expectation of world class recycling has set the scene for one local family to strive for worldbest practice.
1992 must seem eons away for the Foott family, that’s when Peter and Jenny Foott started their waste and recycling business with one truck and a dream in the Goulburn Valley.
Today the Foott family service large parts of northern Victoria with 21 trucks and a recently completed state-of-the-art waste management complex spread over a 12-acre site and home to 48 staff.
It’s a real local success story from the ground up that not only the Foott family ought to be proud of, but also all those involved who have helped make it happen.
The family’s vision has turned into three businesses, Foott Waste & Recycling, Benalla Waste & Recycling and Bloo Loos Toilet Hire, the latter proving a runaway success with 600 portable loos carted all over the countryside to small and large events, including the Great Victorian Bike Ride.
Joining the family business in 2016 and learning the business from the ground up has been eldest son Zane, who came well credentialed with a diploma in logistics, recipient of several awards and is highly recognised for helping expand the companies.
The Foott family celebrated a network night at the new premises in Carroll Road, off Benalla Road, Shepparton last Tuesday, organised by the Chamber, 50 guests were given a guided tour of the new complex.
Reflecting on the ongoing success and development of the enterprise, Foott director and board chair, Peter Foott said, “I’m proud of the work we have been doing over the last 30 years, and we want to continue to lead the circular economy throughout regional Victoria by partnering with key local businesses and community organisations.
“We have several exciting growth opportunities that we are working towards such as the CDS depots in Shepparton, Benalla and Yarrawonga which will allow us to further support our local communities to recycle. Providing our local communities, the opportunity to recycle their eligible cans and bottles and keep them out of landfill, while earning some extra cash for themselves, their businesses, charities, school, and sporting clubs at the same time is a great win for the communities and the region.”
The night was also an opportunity for the Chamber president John Anderson to launch the new membership prospectus and new name for the Chamber, Greater Shepparton Business Network.
It’s all part of a refresh program of the Chamber going forward.
