A Destination Wollongong and Illawarra Women in Business lunch at Lagoon Restaurant clearly showed how much excitement is building about Royal Caribbean bringing mega cruise-liners with up to 3500 passengers to Wollongong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Among the most excited is the family run Kollaras Trading Company which has been supply beverages to the cruise ship industry in Australia for many years. During his address about the coming visits to Port Kembla by Radiance of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas the senior vice president international of Royal Caribbean singled out Michael Kollaras for mention. Gavin Smith described Mr Kollaras as a “very important man in the room”.
The Kollaras Group employed more than 150 people near Albion Park. But a partnership with Australian Liquor Management in 2015 saw the family-run business move the total workforce towards 200. The new trading agreement saw Kollaras brands become available across Australia and the business is now one of the industry's largest privately-owned companies and market leading suppliers. In August 2015 chief operating officer John Kollaras (junior) suggested the group was on track to double in size and create many new jobs at its international head office and giant warehouse in the industrial estate near the Oaks Flat Interchange.
The family business that started life in fresh produce 56 years ago has spanned three generations of the Kollaras family and is now primarily focused on the national and international distribution and export of beverages. The journey began in 1960 with the purchase of a small fruit shop in Wollongong by the late John Kollaras (senior) and his wife Georgia, who had migrated to Australia from Greece to start a new life.
Expansion and diversification into other areas began when sons Tass and Michael Kollaras completed their studies in the 70's and stepped into the business. They identified an untapped opportunity by becoming a supplier to ships visiting Port Kembla. So when Radiance of the Seas arrives on the morning of October 30 it will bring back fond memories for Tas and Michael.
When they Kollaras family sold the fruit shop they initially moved into a commercial warehousing facility at Port Kembla focused on wholesaling fresh produce. But they soon began supplying a diverse range of small goods, frozen foods and groceries. The family business grew nationally and internationally, supplying products to major airlines, military bases, hotels, supermarkets and shipping organisations. The group also owned car dealerships, ventured into tyre importing and wholesaling before moving into alcoholic beverages and opening Tosti Cellars.
Kollaras is a close-knit family run company that now involves Tas and Michael’s children. It recently sold City Beach Function Centre but still has many interests spanning from restaurants, to liquor outlets and property investment/development.
It has a domestic wholesale arm, a cruise and duty free sector and general export business. Its clients range from independent outlets across Australia to cruise ship operators and overseas diplomats. It even fills orders from Antarctica.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
