Leanne Wesche - Pacco Group

Title: Managing director

Business: Fruit and vegetable pack house

Total employees: 46

Reporting directly: n/a

Accomplishments

With the success of her previous company – The Sprout Factory – setting up and growing Pacco Group is one of Ms Wesche’s most significant business achievements. The success of The Sprout Factory resulted in a strategic sale, with Ms Wesche having established strong relationships with some of WA’s leading chain supermarket during that time.

In 2003, she was approached by one of these contacts to establish a fruit a vegetable packaging facility.

The Pacco Group’s initial product range grew from 12 items at inception to now include more than 60 varieties. Ms Wesche says Pacco’s service includes grading, trimming and sorting to save crops that were previously rejected.

Career guides

• Present and future credibility is determined every day – we believe we are only as good as our last delivery.

• Try to inspire the team to work hard to ensure the best outcome for suppliers and customers.

• Leaders should surround themselves with people who aspire to the same vision, core behavioural values and take pride in their work.

Personal/community

Ms Wesche holds a graduate certificate in small business growth.

She says Pacco aims to offer opportunities to the long-term unemployed by recruiting staff through government-funded employment services.

She has been mentoring small business owners and students for the past five years.

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