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CMV
HISTORY (page 3)
1980's - The decision to diversify
In 1979 the Company started investigating the potential to diversify into agricultural ventures. The first major investment commenced in 1981 with the forming of a partnership (Olney Syndicate) to grow 200 hectares of almonds on a property at Lindsay Point in north-western Victoria, some 25km east of Renmark. A decision to further invest in agriculture was made in 1984 with the purchase of a property at Robinvale in Victoria, for the purpose of developing a 130 hectare pistachio tree orchard (Pistachio Producers of Australia).
In September 1988 negotiations were concluded with Volvo Australia to take over the factory run Volvo truck dealership at Campbellfield in northern Melbourne. This business now operates as CMV Truck & Bus Pty Ltd. A further outlet for this business at Clayton in south-east Melbourne was acquired in 1993 from Volvo Australia.
In November 1988 CMI Toyota acquired the city dealership for Toyota cars located on West Terrace, Adelaide. This resulted in the relocating of the Toyota commercial sales activities from Flinders Street to be merged with the Toyota passenger vehicles at West Terrace.
With the production of pistachios from the Robinvale property imminent, a partnership was formed with another large pistachio grower in 1992. Australian Pioneer Pistachio Company was formed to cater for the processing and selling of the Australian pistachio crop. The APPC factory is based at Robinvale.
1994 - The 60th year celebrations
In 1994, the year in which the company celebrated 60 years of operations, the Company once again became involved with Chrysler as a metropolitan Adelaide dealer for Chrysler and Jeep vehicles.
Further agricultural expansion occurred in 1994 with the signing of a grape supply contract with Southcorp Wines for the establishment of 120 hectares of wine grapes over a 4 year period at our Robinvale property.
In 1997 a purpose built factory was constructed at Loxton to process, pack and sell almonds on behalf of Olney Syndicate and other growers. This facility is called Riverland Almonds and CMV Group has the controlling interest in this enterprise.
In June 1997 CMI Toyota acquired a Toyota dealership at Christies Beach which has since become CMI Southside. This attractive dealership on Beach Road at Christies Beach adjacent to the Colonnades Shopping Centre was a strategic move for the company in this rapidly growing area of Adelaide. During 1997 the Group also became the dealer for the Lexus range of luxury vehicles produced by Toyota.
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