The story of JT Johnson & Sons begins with these words:

When John Theodore ‘JT’ Johnson established a small chaff mill plant in Stockport, South Australia in 1923, he couldn’t have known that JT Johnson & Sons would one day become a global leader in manufacturing and exporting animal stock feed. But a hundred years on, that’s exactly what it is.

What surprised us most in bringing this short film and book to life was just how multidimensional this story is. Yes, it’s about a family business – but it’s also a story of bold vision and fearless decision-making across generations. With a culture of big-picture thinking, the Johnson family has embraced innovation, from adopting new technologies to expanding into joint ventures locally and overseas.

Here are some of our favourite moments from this incredible journey:

The Birth and Growth of a Family Business

When JT and Christine Johnson arrived in the South Australian town of Stockport, JT began working on the Rohde family farm. Christine’s parents, Adolph and Anna, welcomed him into the family, and before long, JT’s keen business sense spotted an opportunity: turning the hay grown on the farm into a promising side venture. Teaming up with Christine’s brother, Heinrich ‘Beno’ Rohde, JT established a small chaff mill. Within a year, the business was thriving, supplying chaff across the state.

By 1957, the next generation—Max and Clyde—were looking to take the business further. They relocated operations from Stockport to nearby Kapunda, drawn by its strong hay-growing industry and direct railway link to Port Adelaide. Max, already thinking globally, began exploring export opportunities. The 1960s and 70s were a time of steady expansion, with Johnson’s supplying thoroughbred racehorse owners like Colin Hayes and local fodder stores in Adelaide and Broken Hill. The company even built an oat-processing factory alongside the chaff mill and started exporting to Asia.

The Importance of Innovation

Innovation has always been at the heart of Johnson’s success. In 1992, they took a bold step by building a factory in Boort. Then, in 1995, a partnership with Asahi Industries led to the construction of a factory in Horsham, strengthening their global presence.

By the early 2000s, Johnson’s had focused on modernizing operations. Their maintenance team streamlined machinery efficiency, established organized work zones, and emphasized workplace safety. Within a year, they increased daily container output from one-and-a-half to nearly three—a remarkable improvement.

In 2005, Johnson’s became the first Australian hay exporter to install a Hunterwood press, enhancing production capabilities at Kapunda and Horsham. They also introduced an X-ray machine to combat contamination, setting new standards for product quality.

In the Hands of the Next Generation

The next generation has continued to drive growth and innovation. In 2016, Johnson’s upgraded their pellet mill to meet rising demand in Asia and the Middle East. The result was a 100,000-tonne, state-of-the-art facility—the finest ruminant mill in Australia.

Their expansion into corporate farming saw them grow from 3,000 acres to nearly 19,000 acres today, allowing them to explore new partnerships and joint ventures.

Celebrating their centenary year, Johnson’s acquired a production facility in Highbury, WA. This new factory, operational from January 2024, is set to produce over 100,000 metric tonnes of hay and straw annually, reflecting their commitment to growth and excellence.

The Johnson family’s dedication to customer satisfaction, employee welfare, and strong supplier relationships remains unwavering—a testament to their century-long legacy.

Capturing the Journey with Hyphen

At Hyphen, telling Johnson’s story was a rewarding experience. From engaging interviews to meeting inspiring individuals, we were moved by their vision for the future while staying deeply connected to their family roots.

We delivered a beautifully crafted book and a heartfelt short film that not only honour their past but also support the next generation as they continue to shape the company’s future.

As JT Johnson & Sons celebrated 100 years of, we are reminded of the power of family, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Here’s to the next century of growth and success!