Kalyx expands into new regions, increasing research capacity
For over two decades, Kalyx has been the go-to company for independent agricultural research in Australia due to their national presence and operational excellence. Over that time, they have helped their clients bring hundreds of new crop varieties, pesticides, fertilisers and other such technologies to Australian farmers. Over the past six months they have experienced significant growth in their horticulture research business, opening four new offices to meet the increasing demands of clients.
Kalyx was founded in 1996 in Western Australia and became a national business in 2012 following a merger with Agritech, operating in NSW and SA. They now operate out of 22 locations across Australia with over 100 permanent staff. The business is strategically positioned to conduct field trials in both the major broadacre and irrigated cropping belts, as well as the tree crop, turf and vegetable bowls of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Over the last six months the company has experienced growth not only in regional expansion but also in the range of services offered to clients. Kalyx has opened four new branches in Cairns, Bundaberg, Orange, and Melbourne. These new locations provide an improved and diverse horticulture efficacy, and good laboratory practice (GLP) residue trial offering, with greater access to a variety of crops, including tropical fruits, sugar cane, and tree crops in the QLD region.
Kalyx’s National Horticulture and GLP Business Lead, Matt Burley said, “The increased range of environments in which Kalyx now operates is what sets our business apart. Clients can feel confident that they can contract their research to Kalyx, knowing we have the flexibility to locate any trial in the location that will produce the best data. In some cases, this means we can access key crops all year round to get new products to market sooner.”
According to Ashley Bacon, Managing Director of Kalyx Australia, “as with the clients who entrust Kalyx to assist with getting their new technologies to market, this sort of growth is critical in any business. It makes sure we can keep up with the ever-increasing requirements of supporting the regions’ research requirements, and can deliver the highest quality trials and best value for our clients.”
So, can Kalyx continue to deliver consistently after this period of significant growth? According to Ashley, the key driver for sustained success will be their continued focus and investment in staff. “Over 90% per cent of our field staff live in regional towns, they have established connections with local growers and consultants. Being a part of these communities enables them to use their local contacts and knowledge to locate and establish trials on the best possible sites to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.” Therefore, creating an environment where staff can thrive and feel supported in their professional and personal development is a top priority for Kalyx, according to Ashley.
“We are a proud, Australian employee-owned and operated, rural-based business, which we will continue, to support rural communities, bring families into rural towns, and support our local growers. We will invest in our people and the latest technology to ensure we can continue to provide the highest quality research services to our clients.”
Main photo: Horticulture and GLP lead Matt Burley training graduates Jake and Lauren in Toowoomba