By Casey Neill
Innovation Award
Sponsor: Hilton Manufacturing
Winner: Jurgen’s Swiss Bread Company
Nominees: Bombardier Transportation, Haulaway, Illusion Australia, South East Brewing Company, Uncle’s Smallgoods
“I feel choked up. I’m going to get teary, actually.”
Nelissa Sousa accepted the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award for Jurgen’s Swiss Bread Company at a presentation night at Atura Hotel on Wednesday 22 November.
“This is my dad,” she said, gesturing to Eduardo Rato standing on stage beside her.
“Years ago we bought Jurgen’s Swiss Bread.”
She said it was a small store in Cheltenham at the time. Nelissa said her dad asked her “are you with me?” and they were away.
“I started as a sales rep,” she said.
She said they’d come a long way since 2003.
Jurgen’s is now in Dandenong, operates seven days, employs close to 100 people and boasts Goodman Fielder, Nando’s, Etihad Stadium and the ALH Group as clients.
The business recently started suppling Subway with bread rolls and is looking at expanding its physical presence interstate.
Business development manager Kon Bangtragoulas said Jurgen’s recently added an organic burger bun to its product offering and received the “best milk bun” title from Goodman Fielder following a sample of 50 bakeries.
“A lot of factors contribute to good bread,” he said, providing climate as an example.
“Our facility allows us to control that.
“Our bread passes the squeeze test, it pops back.”
Eduardo and his wife Maria bought Jurgen’s from a small group of bakers who’d established it in 1995.
They’ve now handed over the reins to Nelissa and her husband, Paul.
The business produces about 200 products, including artisan breads and rolls.
It has a dedicated product development team that works to improve existing products and develop new ones.
Jurgen’s has invested in automation equipment, with one line able to produce up to 36,000 units per hour.
