1994-2005: The Bender Family and Impact Fertilisers in Tasmania

The Bender family spread the first tonne of bulk fertiliser from the EZ Fertiliser Plant (now Impact's Derwent Park Plant) in Tasmania in September 1950. Over the next 50 years Benders spread over 1 million tonnes of fertiliser from that plant. Although the spreading business was sold in 1987, the family could not stand by and let the Derwent Park Plant be sold by Zinifex (then Pasminco) and potentially closed down when it was placed on the market in 1994. So Benders created Impact Fertilisers, assembled a new management team, and expanded and reinvigorated their workforce.

With their characteristic drive and enthusiasm, Impact Fertilisers turned into a modern and progressive workforce.  By 2005, Impact had the capacity to produce over 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) of single superphosphate (SSP) per year out of their Hobart-based manufacturing facility, with approximately 70,000 MT of SSP annually moving into its extensive depot distribution system in Tasmania and  120,000 MT of the SSP exported to the east coast of mainland Australia each year. In addition, Impact imported 70,000 MT per annum of high-analysis fertiliser for resale into the Tasmanian market.

2005-2008: Ameropa AG and Impact Fertilisers on the mainland

In 2005, with nearly two thirds of its SSP volume moving to mainland Australia, Impact recognised a need for a third major fertiliser supplier in the Eastern states.  To make this move, Impact needed to partner with Ameropa AG to help secure a consistent supply of high-analysis fertilisers from international producers. 

Ameropa, like Impact, is a family-owned company.  Founded in 1948, Ameropa has grown into one of the largest marketers of fertilisers and grain in the world, moving 8-11 million tonnes of fertiliser per year worldwide to go along with three million tonnes of grain. Ameropa is able to maintain these fertiliser volumes through their base of exclusive off-take and marketing agreements as well as participation in a number of production units.

The concept of the joint venture between Ameropa and Impact hinged on supporting independent dealers with a full range of high analysis fertilisers as well as SSP from the Hobart plant. In early 2006, IFT set up and stocked a network of despatch sheds in Newcastle, Melbourne, Portland and Geelong. Support of the initiative became clear and substantial orders flowed through the depots until the end of June.  On the 1st July, 2006 Impact Fertilisers Australia was officially founded.

2008-2010: Impact Fertilisers Group

Though Impact Fertilisers grew very quickly into a dominant player in the Eastern Australian market, the timing of its rise was a difficult one.  After an unprecedented run-up in commodity prices leading up to late-2008, the credit crisis caused prices to almost uniformly plummet, sending the entire fertiliser industry worldwide into a tailspin. This collapse reached Australia just as the planting season began, and for the next two years, much of the Australian fertiliser industry found itself struggling to retain its footing.

In May 2010, with Impact in uncharted and turbulent waters, Ameropa decided to recapitalise the company and put Impact onto solid financial grounding for continued growth.  As part of the recapitalisation, Ameropa became the majority owner of Impact Fertiliser Group with the Bender Family retaining minority holding and a seat on the board of directors.

Impact Fertilisers has grown and evolved significantly since it was first established in August 1994.  Now nearly two decades old, Impact has established itself as one of the larger suppliers of fertilisers in Eastern Australia as well as Tasmania's market leader in the sale of fertiliser products. With significant assets and experienced personnel involved in the manufacture, distribution and marketing, Impact is very well placed to forge a solid and durable position in the Australian market.

As of July 2010, the company operates out of two main offices, one in Melbourne and one in Hobart.  Impact has four distribution centres throughout Eastern Australia and nine depots in Tasmania, all equipped to guarantee the highest standard of delivery services and products to its customers. And the heart of the operation remains the manufacturing facility in Tasmania that continues to produce high-quality SSP that delivers critical nutrient inputs to the Australian farming industry.

Our Values

Our Vision is for...

Impact Fertilisers to lead the industry as a preferred manufacturer and supplier of fertiliser products and services to the Australian market.

At Impact we value:

• Personalised high quality customer services
• Safety and Environment performance
• Honesty and Integrity
• Innovation and the pursuit of excellence
• Our People

Occupational Health & Safety

Impact Fertilisers has a proud safety record that has been recognised with numerous safety awards and achievements, including IMS accreditation in safety, environment and quality for its Hobart manufacturing facility in February 2009. With a comprehensive safety system already in place, Impact will continue its drive for improvement by implementing a behavioural based safety management system during the coming years.

Environmental Performance

As part of its commitment to the community, Impact has undertaken comprehensive environmental audits of its Derwent Park manufacturing site and all of its distribution sites across Eastern Australia and Tasmania. These audits and ongoing monitoring have acknowledged that Impact continues to meet and further improve on its environmental commitments.

Quality Assurance

Impact has developed its manufactured SSP products to new levels of quality with the introduction of its double screening and new drying plants. These improvements in product quality are also supported by a comprehensive set of chemical and physical product specifications against which our products are tested on a daily basis to ensure they meet our customer's requirements.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the quality of our products and services, Impact Fertilisers gained certification for its quality assurance system to ISO 9001:2000 for all depot sites during 2000-2001.