Originally located in Oakbank, South Australia, business growth prompted the move to our new purpose built premises at Mt Barker, SA.

The business started simply out of a  dairy at Oakbank peeling mainly onions, pumpkin, hand peeling carrots for manufacturers like Alaska Foods, Sunfrost Foods, G & H processors at Norwood, Sumners Bakery at Mt. Torrens. It was a small company with the two partners in  their early twenties,  with family and friends working  in the business.

 Barker Boys had its own brand of pickled onions in jars, “Hot”, “Mild”, & “Honey”. Charlie Pyle, Brian’s Grandfather was the king of the cash sale, Charlie loved to sell them to pubs and fruit shops in the country, out of the trunk of his 1966 Dodge Phoenix.  For a while we also ran a fruit shop in the main street.

Hand peeling onions was hard work, so a better way was investigated. First onion peeler was a Mather and Platt! A machine still made in England.  A second  machine out of a plant in Paris was purchased and sent to Australia. This enabled us to peel onions at 180 per minute. 

In the early days we invented a machine to carve potatoes and carrots called a Chateau or turned vegetables, which apprentice chefs made by hand.  No one else had this machine and the hospitality trade and the Airlines loved them. In 2004, “Version 4” of the Chateau Machine, (with co-manufacturer John Kesting of Ashton) was released into Singapore, which gives several sizes.

The knowledge of the market and the commitment from all employees at Barker Boys has been its strength. A high morale is noticable at Barker Boy's, (under the guidance of Rod Matthews) due the great supervision and the odd barbeque or fishing trip!

Our flexibility and range at short notice, and customer focus has been the key to ongoing loyalty and success. Another strength is our networking with other manufacturers and suppliers including, but not limited to… M & C Fruit & Veg. and many Local and interstate growers.  We are capable of Wholesaling Produce to companies interstate as well as local and export orders.

We supplied the 2004, 20th Australian Jamboree with all their fruit & vegetable requirements. If you have a local refridgerated delivery requirement, Temprite Refridgerated Services from Marleston are the leaders in this area and are Barker Boy’s mobile sales force.

Some of the brands and business bought over the years include; Capson Industries, (capsicum and onion) these guys sold us our first dicer, (an Anliker) and a pasty mix round down south. Beta Veg, Kitchen King, Pumpkin Pushers, Karoland, Seasonal Salads, Salads Plus, Daily Fresh Australia, & Enzed Food Service.

We look forward to the challenges ahead.