Our Company

Nugan Family

We would like to introduce the Nugan family. Three generations dedicated to remaining family owned and the ideals of quality, service and passion.

	Alfredo NuganManaging Director, Nugan Group 1940 – 1965 When Alfredo Nugan emigrated from Spain and in 1940 started a small fruit and vegetable packing operation in Griffith, he had a clear vision of his family’s new life in Australia. This vision brought success and a reputation for outstanding quality and service. Alfredo was a pioneer of the Australian produce industry, using innovation to become a highly successfully supplier of produce throughout NSW and QLD. Alfredo was responsible for implementing the first use of pre-cooled and iced transport to distant markets. He also introduced state of the art packing practices, which revolutionized the way produce was supplied to market. When Alfredo retired in 1965, the produce industry saluted one of its pioneers and great visionaries.
	Ken NuganManaging Director, Nugan Group 1965 - 1986 In 1965 Alfredo retired and his son, Ken, acquired the family’s fruit and vegetable packing business from his parents. Over the next 21 years, Ken was responsible for growing the business from a family packing operation to a mid-sized, highly diversified business. During this time, Nugan Group became a major supplier of fruit and vegetables to the supermarkets, large producer of citrus juice concentrates and owners of the largest wholesale market stands for hard produce at Rocklea Markets, Brisbane. This growth brought years of prosperity. However, the 1980s saw market changes in Nugan Group’s core industries and Ken’s unfortunate death from cancer in 1986.
	Michelle NuganManaging Director, Nugan Group In 1986, when the family business was experiencing hardship because of market changes, Ken died of cancer within 6 weeks of diagnosis - forcing his wife, Michelle, to drive the family business forward. Michelle has been responsible for the business’ renaissance into an Australian success story including the development of vast horticultural properties and looking beyond Australia’s shores to become the largest exporter of niche juice products to Asia in the Southern Hemisphere. This success has been recognized with Michelle being named a NSW Telstra Business Woman of the Year and Australian Export Hero. Michelle also fully sponsors two annual programs to develop business skills in the Riverina - WIRED, Women Innovating Rural Enterprise Development, and the Riverina Young Achiever Program.
	Matthew NuganGeneral Manager, Nugan Estate Matthew, Ken and Michelle’s son and third generation family member, first joined the family business at the age of 19. Over the last 21 years he has worked in most divisions of the family’s empire including the family’s wholesale market stands in Brisbane and managing the fruit and vegetable packing operation in Griffith (successfully building export markets for premium citrus). However, since 2001 Matthew has focused on building Nugan Estate in the export wine market. Today, he is General Manager of Nugan Estate, being responsible for successfully growing Nugan Estate into one of Australia’s Top 20 Wine Exporters.
	Tiffany NuganNational Sales Manager (Australia), International Marketing Manager, Nugan Estate Tiffany, Ken and Michelle’s daughter and Matthew’s sister, joined the family business in 2001. Prior to joining, Tiffany practised as a litigation lawyer with Deacons Lawyers, Sydney. However, in 2001 she decided to give up her successful legal career to launch Nugan Estate in the Australian wine market. Tiffany has been responsible for building Nugan Estate’s portfolio nationally resulting in her being selected as a 2004 NSW Finalist in the Telstra Young Business Woman of Year Awards. More recently, Tiffany has taken on the additional responsibility of marketing Nugan Estate around the globe.