Build It. They'll Come.
Grove Juice – empire-building farmer Dick Estens thrives on challenges, buying a struggling orange juice brand at the age of 59, as the Aussie citrus sector was in its death throes
Over many decades, Moree NSW-based farmer Dick Estens built not just one, but two formidable agribusiness empires. Starting out with just $200,000 in net assets, Dick leased land, share farmed and then managed to scale up a massive cotton farming operation. Then when many might think about retiring, at age 59, Dick took on a monumental challenge and pivoted into the citrus industry, buying into a struggling Brisbane-based brand—Grove Juice— before he had even planted a single orange tree. When much of Australia’s citrus sector was in dire trouble, Dick Estens persevered and built a vertically integrated business model that controls every facet from orchard development to supermarket shelves. Grove Juice now produces 40 million litres of orange, apple and even mandarin juice a year, employing around 250 people. In this episode, Dick reflects on exactly what’s required to navigate long investment cycles, severe droughts, complex risk management and his core philosophy of empowering people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
