Expansion in the plans

Barossa Enterprises is preparing to expand, following the success of a substantial grant application through the State Government's Enabling infrastructure Program, a program aimed at building resilient regional communities and capitalising on growth potential.

The organisation has been allocated $290,442 in funding, which will go towards building a new heavy timber manufacturing shed to increase pallet production and expand its wine packaging capability.

"We're very happy receiving it," Chief Executive Officer of Barossa Enterprises, Garry Velt told The Leader.

"I think it's an important move forward for us."

The expansion project will be done in stages, with the first scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2026.

This grant will support this first stage and also go towards the purchase of a new two-way pallet machine which Garry said will greatly improve working conditions.

It is hoped this machine will be up and running by the start of 2026.

"The machine is going to take some of the physical labour out of the equation," Garry explained.

"But it also means we can put out more product and hopefully capture more marketshare as well.

"If we're more efficient, quality is more consist, we are able to get more business and therefore pay people better wages."

Garry said the company is currently addressing the challenges associated with rising costs and the new project will assist to create more efficiencies and keep costs down.

"It's all a bit of a challenge at the moment," he said.

"This is one of things we have to address, is to create more efficiencies in what we do and become more profitable so we can continue to provide opportunity for those we support."

The proposed new facility will be built on the eastern side of the existing building and operate five days per week.

A development application for the expansion is currently under assessment following the completion of public notice.

Product Creation

Barossa Enterprises currently supplies local wineries with a wide range of packing services,

including custom-made timber boxes complete with business branding along with labelling, packing, and stock pallets.

The timber used for the products was chosen specifically for its environmental sustainability and is sourced from South Australian plantations.

The organisation has been providing job opportunities for people who face barriers to employment since 1977 and now employs over 100 staff, supported employees and support workers as one of the largest employers of people with disability in regional SA.

The people at the centre

Garry has previously spoken with The Leader about how the team is essential to the business.

"A lot of wineries take on our product for this very reason," Garry said.

"They're doing it with the understanding that they're giving someone an opportunity...Our whole purpose is to support the industry that grew the community — and in turn, supports the community that grew the industry."

Garry has also spoken about how Barossa Enterprises is able to offer customers much more packaging.

"When people buy products from us, they're actually purchasing an opportunity for someone as well, not just the product," he said.

"You can acquire boxes from overseas, but ours is about creating local jobs.

"We support people, but we've done so in a way that creates a business. It's kind of positioned perfectly.

"It's more than just the content of the bottle. It's the whole experience."

NDIS

Barossa Enterprises is able to provide a wide range of supports through the NDIS including plan management and support co-ordination to assist people with navigating the NDIS system.

The team is also able to provide a number of daily living supports including in-home assistance, transport, school leaver employment supports and accommodation to allow individuals to live independently and to the fullest.