It’s with great pride Impact Fertilisers is honouring Graeme Rimon, who has dedicated an astonishing 50 years of service at the Impact Fertilisers SSP manufacturing plant in Hobart.
Jim Mole, CEO of Ameropa Australia (Impact Fertilisers’ parent company), says “We take great pride in congratulating Graeme on this remarkable 50-year milestone.
“Graeme's commitment and invaluable contribution to the business, over such a long period of time, has firmly established him as an integral part of the plant's culture and success.”
Impact Fertilisers pulled out all the stops to celebrate Graeme’s 50-year anniversary with an on-site celebration at the plant in Hobart surrounded by his peers, family, and friends, as well as a celebration at the Melbourne Head office with Mr Rimon and his family.
Looking back on his time at the manufacturing plant, Mr Rimon said he has always had a deep connection to the site due to his extensive family ties.
“Our family's legacy at the Hobart site spans generations, my great grandfather first worked at the site as a Blacksmith in the 1920s, over a decade later my grandfather began working in the 'Cell Room' before World War II, when he served in the military, and later returned to the site retiring in 1971.
“Following in their footsteps, my mother also lent her skills to the site during the late 1940s and 1950s, paving the way for me to join in 1973.”
Mr Rimon said he initially began his career working at the Hobart site in the ‘Time Office’, which would now commonly be referred to as a Pay Office. Throughout his career at Impact Fertilisers, Mr Rimon has worked in various departments, including the main store, the computer room, and various other departments where he conducted stocktakes and investigated discrepancies.
“I remember the place as akin to a small town with a general store, a dentist, a permanent ambulance, a fire engine, and bus services. They also had cars to collect VIPs and transport them to the site.”
In 1983, Mr Rimon transitioned to the fertiliser division, assuming an administrative and accounting position. His primary responsibilities involved providing management with cost reports and conducting account reconciliations.
Furthermore, he played a key role in determining fertiliser prices and recommending sales prices. “I would meticulously analyse sales estimates to ascertain the required quantities of raw materials and trace elements.” Mr Rimon fondly recalls that this period coincided with the introduction of computers creating spreadsheets which proved to be far more convenient than calculators and ledgers.
Over 50 years, Mr Rimon has witnessed numerous substantial changes, with the most significant being the advent of computers and the phasing out of rail trucks. “When I initially joined the fertiliser division, the depots were all independently owned.
“However, in 1993, significant transformations took place, and management began divesting various divisions of the company. In 1994, the fertiliser division was sold to Ray Bender.” Nonetheless, he persevered, continuing to compile his cost reports, and fulfilling a purchasing role. Today, Mr Rimon holds the position of purchasing officer in the same plant.
Mr Mole said, “Graeme's remarkable 50-year journey stands as a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and work ethic.”
