In August 2004, Dudley and Gary Johnson bought Fred Hopkins WA, having come from an agricultural/business background in Zimbabwe.
Prior to arriving in Australia, both Dudley and Gary sat on the board of directors for a large agricultural supply business in Zimbabwe, and were active in making management decisions which led to the very successful performance of the business, right up until their emigration due to political unrest.
From 1973, Dudley owned and managed several large businesses, covering a range of industries, including electrical wholesale, aviation electronics, switchgear, manufacturing general supplies and agricultural machinery. In 1978, he also began farming – primarily cattle, Virginia tobacco, wildlife production and large-scale mushrooms.
Gary and his wife Deborah both have BSc Degrees in Agriculture and, in 1990, purchased a farm in Karoi Zimbabwe. Dudley purchased a second farm in the same area in 1992 and both farms were farmed as a partnership until they were lost in 2001.
Gary, Dudley, and Deborah manage the business backed up by a technical team led by Frank and Allan Dudney – both have extensive experience in marine, automotive and agricultural engines and machinery.
