A South Australian family business behind the Nippy’s beverage brand is making a significant investment in automation to double its citrus packing output. The company, which started as a humble juice stand in the 1960s, is spending $11.5 million to replace an ageing packing line with modern technology.
From kitchen table to national brand
The Nippy’s story began in the 1930s when Alic Knispel grew citrus on a small Riverland farm. In the 1960s, his four sons started juicing oranges at the kitchen table and selling it locally, giving birth to the Nippy’s brand. Today, beverages account for about two-thirds of the business, alongside farming and fruit packing.
The company is now run by Alic’s son Jeff and grandson Ben as joint managing directors. Ben, who worked in the business throughout school and university while completing an accounting degree, explored other employment before returning to the family enterprise by choice, not expectation.
Investment in automation
Vertical integration across farming, packing, transport and beverages gives Nippy’s more control over its supply chain. However, like many Australian manufacturers, it faces cost pressures from fuel, freight, plastics and packaging. To boost productivity, Nippy’s has committed to spend $11.5 million on a new automated citrus packing line that will double output.
“Investing in automation is critical to improving productivity and driving down costs,” Ben Knispel said. The funding came via BankSA, part of the Westpac Group, with which Nippy’s has banked for generations. “It’s very important to have banks standing behind businesses at this time. You’re only as good as the network you’re in,” Knispel added.
Support for family businesses
Westpac state general manager for SA and national emerging corporates, David Firth, expressed pride in supporting an iconic South Australian business. “The South Australian economy is underpinned by so many fantastic family businesses that play the long game, who reinvest through the cycle and build brands that are successful locally, then nationally and some even internationally,” he said.
Firth highlighted the importance of productivity: “Productivity is one of the biggest levers Australian manufacturers have right now and automation is often central to that. When businesses like Nippy’s invest in modern, automated equipment to lift throughput and reduce unit costs, it’s a practical way to protect margins and build resilience for the next generations.”
