For 90 years across 4 generations, Charlesworth Nuts has been proudly making and selling fresh nuts, fruits and chocolates in Australia. What began in 1934 as a small nut stall in the Adelaide Central Market has now grown into a family business with 11 retail stores and a warehouse factory. More than ever, they remain absolutely passionate about the quality and freshness of their products. We had a chat with Brett Charlesworth to learn more about their family business, the rich history behind the business, and how they continue to expand their business across Australia every day.
Tell us about your business?
Charlesworth Nuts is now a 90 year old South Australian family business, jointly run by myself (3rd generation) and my son Kain (4th generation). Our business started as a small nut store in Adelaide’s Central Market in 1934, owned and operated by my grandparents Herb and Doris Charlesworth.
We started with a small range of around 30 different nuts and dried fruits. From day one, everything was always about the quality and freshness of our products and that passion has just grown over the generations.
In 1978, we built a new factory at Marion and started manufacturing many of the value-added products we sell today including chocolate and toffee coated nuts and fruits, roasted and flavoured nuts as well as an exotic range of unique Charlesworth Nuts mixes. During the 1980s, we also started our gift range which has grown enormously over the years and now represents almost 50% of our annual sales.
From the 30 products we started with, our overall range has now grown to around 150 mouthwatering products plus over 50 stunning gifts sold through our 11 South Australian family owned stores and online all around Australia.
And more than ever, we’re absolutely passionate about the quality and freshness of our products.
What has been your greatest success?
There have been many highs and lows since 1934 but I believe our single, greatest success is quite simply our longevity. 90 years and still family-owned is very special and speaks to the strength of our brand and the commitment of all the people who have brought us to this point.
The number of businesses that get to 90 years is a small fraction of a percent so to be one of those few, and to still be growing and getting better every day, is a massive achievement.
We’re also very proud of the fact that across 90 years and 4 generations, we have remained true to our core business and family values and always use them as an important guide in our decision making. We can’t wait to celebrate our 100 year milestone.
What do you value about FBA?
As a heart and soul family business ourselves, it made perfect sense to ally with an organisation that brings family businesses together in an incredibly positive way with the ultimate goal of helping us all succeed by leveraging the unique advantages that family businesses have.
We have always valued the important developmental, educational and networking opportunities, provided by FBA, all within a positive, values-driven environment. And that’s the key…it’s the FBA values that we at Charlesworth Nuts value the most.
We’re all here for the right reason...to help each other succeed and when our collective talents are harnessed and then channelled through FBA, it results in a very positive, powerful and potent mix.
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