Berri roots for SA’s fastest growing business

A WINNING idea first used in making fruit boxes in a Berri vineyard shed three decades ago is still reaping rewards for the family-owned business that is now making products for the building industry.

SA’s top three fastest growing companies: Enviro Clad Australia founder, Antonio Vallelonga and Ryan Vallelonga, Uniti Wireless Co-Founders, Sasha Baranikov, and Che Metcalfe, and Elite Building and Renovations, Tom Saunders and Susan Strachan. (AAP Image/Dean Martin).

A WINNING idea first used in making fruit boxes in a Berri vineyard shed three decades ago is still reaping rewards for the family-owned business that is now making products for the building industry.

Enviroclad Australia, established by Riverland brothers Antonio and Francesco Vallelonga, was on Friday named the winner of the coveted top spot in the Fast Movers 2018.

Enviro Clad Australia founder Antonio Vallelonga with his nephew Ryan Vallelonga. AAP Image/Dean Martin.

The company with 20 staff, had an average revenue growth of over 298 per cent in its business which makes expanded polystyrene, or EPS, products, including external cladding and rendered wall and fence systems.

EPS is a lightweight cellular plastic material which the brothers first used in fruit box packaging. Today the company also makes steel skinned EPS panels used as insulation products on the market because of its strength, termite resistance and flame-retardant features.

Enviroclad’s strength and growth come from its innovation and diversification.

Founder Antonio said the company was investing in the business and looking at new markets.

“We are now going into Victoria and the growth we are seeing in the market is tremendous. We expect to grow rapidly over the next three years,” he said.

As the winner of the Fast Movers SA program, a partnership between BDO and Brand SA which recognises the state’s fastest growing companies, Enviroclad received $49,600 in prize value including $10,000 cash and connections to some of SA’s leading companies.

Underdale-based property group Elite Building and Renovations led by Tom Saunders was ranked second with an average revenue growth of 209 per cent.

The company specialises in renovations and extensions to existing homes and builds on Tom’s 15-year plus experience in the industry.

(L-R) Enviro Clad Australia founder Antonio Vallelonga and Ryan Vallelonga, Uniti Wireless co-founders Sasha Baranikov and Che Metcalfe with Elite Building and Renovations’ founder Tom Saunders and Susan Strachan. (AAP Image/Dean Martin).

High-speed internet provider Uniti Wireless, established by Che Metcalfe and Sasha Baranikov, were ranked third with their average revenue growth of 176 per cent.

While the company has faced headwinds in the sudden exit of their chief executive Rick Correll in April after six months on the job, it remains on course to list on the sharemarket later this year.

With backers like Vocus founder James Spenceley and Amcom founder Tony Grist, the business employing more than 60 staff is building a fixed wireless broadband network in Adelaide and Melbourne to feed growing demand for its internet services.

BDO SA’s Adelaide managing partner Rudy Pieck said it was a very close race this year with only a 15 per cent difference in average growth between positions 25 to 50.

BDO SA Managing Partner Rudi Pieck, Brand SA CEO Karen Raffen, EnviroClad Australia founder Antonio Vallelonga and Ryan Vallelonga and Statewide Super General Manager, Business Development Debbie Sterrey. (AAP Image/Dean Martin).

“It’s fantastic to see so many South Australian businesses having year on year revenue growth and there was a clear message from our 2018 nominee survey that we are an optimistic bunch in SA and expect growth to continue,” Mr Pieck said.

Brand SA chief executive Karen Raffen said Fast Movers helped to create passion, enthusiasm and exposure among SA’s fastest growing companies.

“With the Top 25 being made up of business from a variety of industries, the Fast Movers program has again proven that South Australia is home to diverse, high quality and ever-growing businesses,” she said.

The full list of the top 25 SA Fast Movers 2018 will be published in The Advertiser’s SA Business Journal on Tuesday, May 29.

The Advertiser is a supporter of Fast Movers 2018.