We meet challenges head on

Our business was built on innovation. It all started in the mid 70’s with our late founder Hans Van Schaik experimenting with composting and further value-adding pine bark and sawdust which were at the time, considered waste by-products of the timber and forest industry.
Our core business model has stood the test of time over the years, while we have continued to diversify across our various market segments including increasing our capability toward organic material streams and identifying key end markets for our end products.
Today we provide an extensive list of products across the horticultural, landscape, viticulture, and agricultural industries which all goes toward supporting a circular economy as well as maximising diversion of waste material from landfill.

Who We Are

What We Do

Our History

Our People

Who We Are

We’re proud to be a family-owned Australian business that actively contributes to the overall improvement of our precious environment. Spanning three generations, the Van Schaik family play a vital role within the business to ensure that the vision that was started over 45 years ago continues to be realised and extended further to meet our Vision, Mission & Values.

What We Do

We operate organic receival facilities in South Australia and Victoria to support the diversion of organic waste products from landfill.

Bio Gro process in excess of 300,000 tonnes of organic material to create a range of products for the horticulture, viticulture, agriculture and landscape market.

This is done through strict quality control processes that are environmentally sustainable while meeting and exceeding Australian Standards for our manufactured products.

Wandilo

Bio Gro’s principal composting and manufacturing facility in South Australia with an operating capacity of over 300,000 tonnes per annum.

Mount Gambier

Bio Gro’s Mount Gambier facility contains two fully automated packaging plants with capacity to produce in excess of 8 million bags per annum.

Newbridge

Bio Gro’s principal composting and manufacturing facility in Victoria with an operating capacity of over 50,000 tonnes per annum.

Dandenong South

Bio Gro’s Dandenong South facility is a divided site catering for the sensitivity of managing multiple inbound and outbound product streams.

Bio Gro History

Bio Gro was originated over four decades ago, by Hans Van Schaik and his wife Marjan Van Schaik, as a small earth moving business operating within the heartland of Australia’s Radiata Pine Plantations, Mount Gambier, South Australia.

Hans had a particular interest in soil management, and noticed that bark and organic materials that were by-products of the local forestry industry were being burnt or destined for landfill, and believed that those organic residues could and should be value-added.

Against popular opinion at the time, Hans went about testing and trialling products derived from these residues, and soon after expanded the company’s operating portfolio to include the development and manufacture of various forms of growing substrates, soil conditioners and mulching mediums.

Today, Bio Gro is still a privately held, family-owned company, and is now widely regarded as a leading innovator within the Australian horticulture and waste management industries.

1974

Inception

Hans Van Schaik started experimenting with composting and value-adding materials that remained after harvest and processing by the forest industry within Mount Gambier, South Australia

1975

Van Schaik’s Organic Soils

Van Schaik’s Organic Soils was founded by Hans & Marjan Van Schaik. The original composting facility was located on a 12 acre site on Wandilo road, South Australia

1985

Wholesale and Nursery production

Van Schaik’s Organics Soils starts formulating a base material to support growing media production within the horticulture industry.

1993

First Packaging Plant

Van Schaik’s Organic Soils expands with the purchase of the commercial street site in Mount Gambier; there the first packaging plant was established.

1995

Bio Gro is Formed

Bio Gro was formed; Van Schaik’s Organic Soils remains an operating entity, holding all supply contracts and supplying product to Bio Gro.

1997

Jubilee Factory Complex

Growth continued through the purchase of the Jubilee factory complex, becoming Bio Gro headquarters and modern packaging facility.

1998

Expansion to Victoria

Expanded into the Victorian market by acquisition. Bio Gro purchase the Australian Potting Mix Company, Canterbury Road Bayswater, to increase exposure into the potting media market.

2000

World Forestry Award Day

Hans Van Schaik wins the World Forestry Day Award. Recognising innovation and outstanding achievements within the forestry industry.

2003

Further Victoria Aquisition

Further growth by acquisition. Bio Gro purchase the Propine Company, and relocate Victorian operations from Canterbury road to Colchester road, Bayswater.

2011

Dandenong South

Catering to demand, Bio Gro outgrows Bayswater facility and purchases a new site located in Dandenong South, Victoria.

2016

100% Family Owned Business

The Van Schaik family acquired remaining shareholding and returned to becoming a 100% family owned business again.

2022

Regional Victoria Expansion

Facility acquired in Newbridge, Victoria, to meet the demand for additional organic material recovery and improve operating supply chains.

2022

Dandenong Expands Line

Bio Gro installed first of its kind in Australia decontamination “pre-treatment” line at Ordish. Further increasing annual site throughput capacity.

2023

Further Expansion at Newbridge

Significant investment took place into a 3000m2 packaging shed, packaging plant, and a Development Licence Approval to process up to 160,000 tonne of organic matter per annum at our New Bridge Facility.

2024

‘Project Vital Loop’ Launched

Increased marketing presence through industry first council educational campaign “Project Vital Loop”, proactively working with our councils to further mitigate contamination risk at our sites.

Our People

Our growth as an organisation is evidence to the great people we have working here. Our people systems are key to attracting and retaining quality professionals and we are passionate about what we do. At the core of what we do is a deep commitment to sustainability with a focus toward safeguarding our natural resources for the now and for future generations. Our Employees together with our valued customers and partners, will continue to set standards for our industry.

Executive Team

Stephen Van Schaik

Managing Director

Heather Van Schaik

Director

Senior Management Team

Emma Daly

Chief Strategy and Risk Officer

Nathan Thompson

General Manager, SA Operations

Angela Kain

Chief Financial Officer

Sales Team

Paul Beckman

Sales Manager, SA

Michelle Torcasio

Sales Manager, Vic

Liam Van Schaik

Agricultural Sales Manager

Bruce Durant

Account Manager, Vic

Mark Telford

Account Manager, SA

Michael Patten

Account Manager, Vic

Matthew Roscow

Account Manager, SA

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We meet challenges head on

Who We Are

What We Do

Our History

Our People

Who We Are

What We Do

Wandilo

Mount Gambier

Newbridge

Dandenong South

Bio Gro History

Inception

Van Schaik’s Organic Soils

Wholesale and Nursery production

First Packaging Plant

42 Hectare Site Expansion

Bio Gro is Formed

Jubilee Factory Complex

Expansion to Victoria

World Forestry Award Day

Further Victoria Aquisition

Dandenong South

Consolidated Ownership

100% Family Owned Business

Greenwaste Contracts

FOGO Inline Processing

Regional Victoria Expansion

Dandenong Expands Line

Further Expansion at Newbridge

‘Project Vital Loop’ Launched

Our People

Executive Team

Stephen Van Schaik

Heather Van Schaik

Senior Management Team

Emma Daly

Nathan Thompson

Angela Kain

Sales Team

Paul Beckman

Michelle Torcasio

Liam Van Schaik

Bruce Durant

Mark Telford

Michael Patten

Matthew Roscow

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Mt Gambier - Head Office

Dandenong Facility

Wandilo Facility

Newbridge Facility