Company Profile
History
Founded in 1989, the Cedar Hill Corporate Group (CHCG) consists of several leading horticultural companies located on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. All proudly supply Australia’s wholesale and retail horticultural and floricultural markets, and export globally.
Over the past 30 years CHCG has experienced continuous growth, expanding our range of products and services along with our number of satisfied customers.
Awards
Since the Group’s foundation we have received multiple business awards, including :
- Sunshine Coast Environment Council Clean Industry Initiative Award
- Sunshine Coast Exporter of the Year Award
- Queensland Primary Industries Environment Award
- Sunshine Coast Exporter Hall of Fame Award
- Queensland Premier’s Agribusiness Export Award
Environmental Impact
CHCG works with State government, private plantation managers, native title holders and industry associations to ensure the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our business activities across the Group.
Southeast Queensland’s unique flora supports over 5,000 native plant species. many of which are endemic; along with some of Australia’s most favourable climatic conditions for growing ornamental plants.
This has provided Cedar Hill with the resources to sustainably develop and commercialise new plant varieties and floral products, ensuring the Group’s ongoing success.
Quality Horticultural Products
The Group and its companies have built a reputation for supplying the horticultural industry with high quality tube stock for over two decades. In 2013 we expanded into the online retail market, providing one of Australia’s largest ranges of native and exotic plants direct to the consumer, through Australian Plants Online.
The growth and success of this business is testament to our ability to produce the highest quality plants, and provide exceptional customer service, further cementing our reputation as one of Australia’s premier horticultural producers.
Skilled Staff
These achievements – along with many others over the past 30 years – have been possible thanks to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated and skilled staff. Several staff members celebrate multiple decades of employment across various roles.
We offer opportunities for career development within the industry and reward for the hard work that ensures the ongoing success of the group.
Cedar Hill Corporate Group comprises :
- Australian Bouquet Company – Online consumer bouquet supply
- Australian Plant Online – Online consumer retail nursery
- Australian Plant Specialists – Domestic wholesale production of ornamental plants
- Cedar Hill Flowers and Foliage – Sustainable harvesting and processing of native cut foliage
- Cedar Hill Plantations – Nursery mother stock, flower and foliage farm
- Hortpac – wholesale box, label and sticker supplier
- Premium Greens Australia – International exporter of floricultural products
- Vitroflora – Commercial plant tissue culture laboratory
Mark Irwin : Owner and CEO
Mark Irwin started his career in the horticulture industry over thirty years ago with a small financial investment in a new start-up company growing orchids.
This fledgling plant producer soon grew into a successful Asian export business; and out of those beginnings emerged a global export business specialising in native cut foliage and flowers.
Mark’s business skill, and love of Australian plants, has led to his appointment to the board of several horticulture industry committees, among them Australian Flower Export Council (AFEC); Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC); Wildflower and Native Plant committee (now AgriFutures Australia); University of Queensland Centre for Native Floriculture; and Wild Flower Association.
“The global challenges coming at Cedar Hill Group from all angles – droughts, bushfires, pandemics, volcanoes downing flights, the big freeze in the USA, currency fluctuations, and new technologies – that’s what gets my creative juices flowing year after year.”
James Roemermann : General Manager
James intended to start an electrical apprenticeship on leaving school, before a close friend tipped him off that he could earn a good wage cutting ferns for Cedar Hill Group.
He decided to give it a six month trial, and soon was so proficient that he was promoted from harvester to Field Supervisor.
James’ knowledge of local native foliages, and where they grow, assisted his next move within the Group, the sensitive business of negotiating licences to harvest on government lands and in state forests.
Eight years ago, James became Operations Manager, overseeing tubestock plant production within the nursery as well as the harvesting and processing of foliage. And in 2020, after twenty-six years with Cedar Hill Group, James now runs all operations on site as General Manager.
He attributes his long career with the company to the ability to change roles regularly, and progress with training and experience.
“Through the job I’ve seen more of the east coast of Australia than most people, and remote places, accessible only by 4WD, that the tourists never see.”