PRODUCTS

Three Threes first became a registered business in January 1919 at Redfern, NSW, “Stanley Roy McAlpine” and his wife “Winfred Grace” commenced making and selling products such as jams, sauces and pickles. Stanley would sell the products from a Horse and Cart that was decorated to impress the shop owners. In August they moved to larger premises in Woollahra as the business grew and became very successful.

In 1927 the company moved again to bigger premises this time to Darlington, NSW. Stanley’s son “Cecil William” and daughter “Jean” joined their parents in the operation of the business. The continued growth of the business moved the company to two more locations before they built a new plant at Lidcombe, NSW in 1955 which is still our current location.

It was around this time that Stanley’s grandson “Ronald Roy” joined the company. Ron completed studies at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, with the hope that he would play a big part in the business. Ron passed with Honours, and become Dux in Food Technology II.

Following family tradition Ron’s brother “David William” joined the company in 1957. David assisted with the running of production. Ron and David introduced new machinery and technology to the company. By 1962 “Three Threes” had been firmly cemented into the market place becoming a household name for all the people in Sydney, NSW

Three Threes became an associated company in 1962 with brothers Ronald and David becoming shareholders. Three Threes continued to grow, at one stage only manufacturing “Sweet Mustard Pickles” as they were unable to keep up with the supply of the other products. They continue to introduce new manufacturing methods and techniques for our products. Ron took over the management of the company, working more with the administration side and David continued to work and manage the manufacturing of the products. Over the next decade Three Threes strived and began to supply other states in Australia. They increased their product range to include Sweet Mustard Pickles and Sweet Spiced Onions and eventually adding Gherkins and Olives.

In 1984, Ron’s wife “Carolyn Ann” joined her husband in the business. She finally commenced on a permanent basis after many hours of casual work. Ron’s eldest child “Peter Roy” joined the company in 1985 working along side his father and uncle. His brother “Michael John” soon joined Peter in 1987. In 1988 David decided to leave the company and moved to the country. This was a big stepping stone for the foundation of the business as it is today.

Peter took on the role of production manager, handling the everyday challenge of running production. Michael took on the demanding job of marketing manager, introducing new lines to manufacture and communicating with supermarket buyers to ensure good distribution of “Three Threes” products.

Today, Peter and Michael’s wives both work along side the family in administration. Michael’s wife Justine joined the company in 1990; Peter’s wife Sharyn joined the business in 1994. Ron and Ann are slowly taking a step backwards reducing the number of days worked but have continued to offer support and their knowledge to carry the business forward into the next generation. Michael and Justine have 3 children (“Timothy John” born 1996, “Benjamin James” born 1999 and “Sophie Rose” born 2001) and hope that one day they will be working along side the family and be part of the 5th generation McAlpine’s to be part of this great Australian company.

Three Threes now supply nationally in Australia to all supermarket chains with the hope of exporting to neighbouring countries in the near future. Three Threes are proud to be able to support Australian farmers and other Australian businesses. In 2004 we celebrated 85 years of business.