Who We Are

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 with an operating capacity of over 300,000 tonnes per annum.
- Licensed EPA Facility
- 50 Hectares
- Over 300,000 Tonnes PA
Jubilee

Jubilee contains two fully automated packaging plants with a capacity of producing in excess of 8 million bags per annum.
- Group Headquarters
- 8,000 square metres of undercover warehouse
- Third Party Packaging facility
Ordish Road

Victorian Head office with a divided site catering for the sensitivity of having a multi purpose facility.
- Multi purpose divided site
- Custom blend growing media distribution centre
- Green organic recieval and distribution facility
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.
1972
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 Organic Soils starts formulating professional growing mediums for the Australian Nursery Production and Wholesale 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.
1994
42 Hectare Site Expansion
Further expansion through securing a 42 Hectare site at Wandilo, South Australia.
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.
2010
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
2019
Greenwaste Contracts
2021
FOGO Inline Processing
Our People
Executive Team

Stephen Van Schaik
Managing Director

Heather Van Schaik
.

Leigh Barry
Chief Operating Officer

David Ford
Chairman

Emma Daly
Strategic Development

Sage Hahn
VIC Operations Manager

Nathan Thompson
SA Operations Manager

Paul Beckman
Group Sales Manager

Jenine Bott
Safety & Compliance Manager

Angela Kain
Commercial Manager
Sales Team
Paul Beckman
Group Sales Manager
Sarah Dawson
Administration Officer SA
Mark Telford
Growing Media Manager SA
Tony Elshaug
Logistics Supervisor
Matthew Roscow
SA Sales & Account Manager
Michelle Torcasio
VIC Sales Manager – Growing Media & Landscape
Michael Patten
Territory Sales Account Manager VIC
Tracy Jakupi
Customer Service Officer & Sales Assistant