Victorian facility will reduce Driscoll’s reliance on third party nurseries
Driscoll’s Australia has officially opened a new state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory and foundation nursery in Pakenham, Victoria with a ribbon cutting by Cardinia Council’s deputy mayor, Alanna Pomeroy, on 17 January 2025.
The facility integrates Driscoll’s Research & Development activities with an advanced propagation system to provide premium berry genetics to growers across Australia.
“The Pakenham site is designed to be a centre of excellence in plant propagation, housing Driscoll’s nucleus mother stock and facilitating both foundation and production cycle propagation,” said Driscoll’s Australia general manager Jon Gleeson at the opening. “By leveraging innovative tissue culture techniques, the facility ensures growers receive plants that are consistent, reliable, pest and pathogen-free, and optimised for high-quality production.”
The plants established at this site will be transferred to commercial nurseries within the Driscoll’s network and then onto farms where they will grow the raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.
“By removing third party nurseries from our supply chain and drastically aligning our plants with the growers needs we have managed to delight the berry consumer who are able to get access to superior fruit at times of the year when historically this wasn’t possible,” Gleeson said.
“We’re excited to see the positive impact this will have on our industry and the broader community.”
Significant funding for the project was received from Investment Victoria via the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
“Access to such a resource is invaluable for a business such as ours and certainly made the decision to invest in Victoria not only an easier one, but one that could be made with a high degree of confidence,” Gleeson said.
In accordance with Driscoll’s dedication to producing premium plants in a sustainable manner, the site incorporates water-efficient systems, sustainable design principles, and solar energy technology to minimise its ecological footprint.
Beyond its direct impact, the Pakenham operation is also expected to generate significant economic benefits for the local community supporting regional businesses by engaging third-party suppliers for essential inputs.
Gleeson said the facility would also employ approximately 150 people, including both full-time and casual staff, spanning a diverse range of skill levels.
“From highly specialised tissue culture experts to trainees, Driscoll’s will provide on-the-job training and access to relevant tertiary and vocational education, fostering meaningful careers in the horticultural sector,” he said.
