Over the years they have faced many challenges, including bushfires and the collapse of Tasmania’s apple export industry in 1973 (the result of Britain joining the European Common Market). In response, Ian Smith, a third-generation orchardist, built controlled-atmosphere cool stores and began exporting to Asia in the 1980s.

More recently his son Andrew has converted the orchard into an organic farm, in the belief that growing food without the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides is better for their land, their customers and the Tasmanian environment.

Willie Smith’s has had a banking relationship with ANZ for more than 100 years. In June this year members of our Board and Executive visited the cider production facilities and packing shed, meeting with the workers and learning about what matters to them and their local community.

“I have worked hard to evolve Willie Smiths into a vertically integrated agribusiness in the last twenty years. The key ingredients have been innovation, hard work and good relationships. I feel confident and comfortable in our working relationship with ANZ,” said Andrew.

Supporting the agricultural sector is an important part of ANZ’s history, and banking customers like Willie Smith’s aligns with our focus on helping our customers grow their business sustainably.

Image: Andrew Smith