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| A Raptis & Sons Pty Ltd commenced operations in 1957 and is amongst the largest privately owned fishing and seafood trading companies in Australia. The company is proudly owned by the Raptis family and has established a global reputation for quality products with its commitment to excellence. A. Raptis & Sons is not only a conglomerate of pioneers but also that of entrepreneurs. Raptis has led processing efficiency into the modern era through the embracement of technological advancements such as vacuum thaw chambers. This is further exemplified with the introduction of freezer prawn and fish freezing trawlers into the Australian fishing industry. Raptis frequently pursues a philosophy of environmentally sound fisheries management. This organisation regularly engages in proactive discussions with industry and governments to ensure the management of Australian fisheries’ resources remains effective and current. The original Queensland Fisheries Board premises, located along banks of the Brisbane River, were acquired in the 1987 and are today the location of the A. Raptis & Sons’ head office. During the past fifty years this premises has been developed into a hub in which processing, distribution, trading and marina and retail sales are undertaken. This site efficiently handles many processes such as vessel refits through to facilitating for the dispatching of seafood through a hectic auction floor. The Adelaide premises, located on the outskirts of the Adelaide central business district, was the origninal head office of the Raptis organisation. Adelaide is the gateway to the Great Australian Bight fishery thus lending itself to great levels of efficient stock handling and dispatching throughout Australia and the remainder of the world. The establishment of Raptis’ first retail shop at these premises in the early 1990s has formed the basis of the success and ever-growing popularity of the Raptis Fish Markets around Australia. Fresh and live product from Queensland, South Australia and New Zealand is available daily in the large fresh sales area. Adjacent to a comprehensive frozen selection. Convenient storage chillers surround the buying area. Freezer storage has been expanded to hold over 2000 pallets in four separate freezers interconnecting, including a secure quarantine area for imported goods. A dedicated tuna packing room has been recently developed to complement the expanded wharves and unloading facilities. With direct access to Moreton Bay and the greater Pacific an increasing number of boats are unloading to Raptis. A dedicated cooking area and filleting room is incorporated. The main processing facility has expanded its operations to encompass contract processing for a wide range of product, fresh fish and shellfish from an extensive array of agents in Australia and handling of the product from the company vessels in Australian and overseas fisheries. All product handling areas are fitted with state of the art cleaning and sanitising equipment. Modern amenities are included for staff, incorporating showers, lockers and lunch rooms. Raptis is the major supplier of seafood to distributors, wholesalers, seafood retail outlets and major supermarket chains in Queensland. We are mindful of the increasing demand for fresh seafood and are meeting such demands. We are consolidating the domestic seafood business and maintaining the company’s status as a ‘whole of industry player ‘. The history of the Raptis Group of Companies is unique in that it illustrates the tremendous growth of a small family business into a multi-million dollar seafood processing and exporting organisation within a relatively short period of time. 1964, Fish and Chip Shop Wholesale fish merchant - all filleting done manually. 1960's, Overseas markets - abalone South East Asia and Japan Fish processing for local and interstate markets, processing plants in South Australia and Queensland 1971, Began fishing the Northern Australian and South Australian waters 1977, Purchased Karumba export establishment and infrastructure as northern land base headquarter 1985, Extension of processing factory in Adelaide Office in Cairns, joint venture with Frigmobile (Cairns Cold Stores Pty. Ltd.) 1987, Equipment installed in factory to reduce manual handling of seafood Purchased Queensland Fish Board from the Government - expand products range Brisbane now primary distribution centre for local, interstate and export sales Operate the only fresh seafood auctions in Queensland at Brisbane site 1989, 2 prawn vessels converted to deep sea fish vessels - Orange Roughy industry 1992, Pilot computerised dynamic grading system was introduced in Adelaide factory Operations in Karumba scaled down, all vessel refits conducted in Brisbane Establish oyster farming in South Australia 1993, Acquired Frigmobile’s shareholding in Cairns Cold Stores Pty Ltd. 1994, Dynamic grader system and vacuum thawing introduced to Adelaide factory 1996, Acquired Gladstone Fisheries in Queensland - scallop fishery 1998, Introduction of Live Seafood at Brisbane Fish Markets 1999, Redevelopment of cold store facility at Colmslie Tuna and Swordfish business commences at Colmslie 2001, Commencement of Live Barramundi Farm in South East Queensland Renovation of all buildings at Colmslie Opened retail shop business in Colmslie Reopened retail shop in Adelaide Renovation of Gladstone factory 2002, Retail shop opens in Karumba Began retailing at Farmers Markets Purchase of new fishing vessel to work in Great Australia Bight Renovation of offices in Brisbane and Adelaide 2003 Oct, Opened Sydney Fish Markets - wholesaling wide range of seafood products |
Raptis
✆ 61 07 3249 7888
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