About G & R Wills

Darwin

Warren Virgen's goal of having the wholesale facilities to service all areas north of the 26th parallel has been achieved. But for G&R Wills northern area manager this came about only after much work and turning a full circle in business. Like many a Territorian Warren arrived in Darwin on a two-year transfer, back in April 1966. He enjoyed the lifestyle, recognized opportunities and was soon introduced to the retail industry by merchandiser Graham Sells.He learnt to recognize the value of "buying right". The top trading results achieved by Warren in his first two years as Woolworth's variety manager in the Smith Street supermarket was instrumental in the opening of Big W in Darwin in August 1969. At this time he had to make a major decision - accept a transfer interstate or resign. Warren and his family stayed. Venturing into wholesale trading Warren joined Bill Muller and Barry Humphries at their Winnellie wholesale food business.

He was employed to service outlying Territory towns and communities. This involved being on the road for many months of the year. Warren's desire to supply customer needs convinced the directors to expand their operation. Warren started a Northern Territory branch for major supplier Patterson, Reid and Bruce in 1973. In the following six years, even though Cyclone Tracy had demolished its premises. Patterson, Reid and Bruce enjoyed expansion in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and far north Queensland. However Patterson, Reid and Bruce's English parent company, Bowater Scott, closed down the Australian operation in 1979. Left with a vast amount of knowledge in a specialized field, a pilot's licence and an aircraft. Warren approached well-known Territorian John Hickman for help. Mr. Hickman, who established Hickman Distributors, wanted his food business to include a variety division.

The year 1985 was a turbulent period in Warren Virgen's life. It began with Golden North taking over Hickman Distributors. Warren, unhappy with the company policy, which made no allowance for Territory conditions, resigned after 12 weeks. He joined Arnhemland Progress Association's new venture, North Centre West, where he and former Hickman Distributors director Ron Dickson promoted the venture in line with the services Hickman Distributors had offered. In August 1986 Independent Grocers bought Golden North and North Centre West. A decision was made to consolidate the variety division and offer it to G&R Wills, which was achieved on November 1, 1986. After all the mergers of Hickmans, North Centre West and G&R Wills, the result was a low stock holding, a large number of suppliers (outnumbering the number of customers) and a staff reduced from sixteen to six. Warren accepted the task of re-establishing the business. By July 1987 he achieved and surpassed the set goals. He said the growth since that time and during a time of economic downturn had been through offering flexibility and considering customers needs. Warren's ability to provide support for his staff was recognized by the then Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, when he was awarded the Australian Employer of the Year Award in 1991. On April 1, 1990, Independent Holding Ltd. bought G&R Wills Australian operation to enhance their Adelaide variety operation. In the Territory G&R Wills and Independent Grocers combined to offer a complete service to outlying areas of the NT, far north Queensland and WA.