Our story
Based in Tasmania, Nut Solutions Australia is fully Australian owned and operated.
We source equipment manufactured by small to medium sized engineers in the USA, NZ and Germany who stand behind the quality of their products. These manufacturers have worked with producers to design tailored solutions to common challenges faced in the nut industry.
We are committed to providing reliable, professional customer service. We will respond to your enquiries quickly and we will be honest if we are unable to help. We are a small business and we genuinely enjoy helping our customers.
Ask us if you have a problem or question related to nut production or processing. Even if the solution you’re after does not appear to be on the website – we may be able to help. We’re always talking with new and prospective manufacturing partners in the region, and even around the world, so we just may know of something in the pipeline that could be perfect for your situation.
John Pethybridge
Owner-Operator
John Pethybridge, the owner-operator, is a primary producer and nut orchardist. He has more than 3,000 walnut trees planted on his property on the north-west coast of Tasmania.
He started Nut Solutions Australia by importing hand-held nut harvesters from the USA. John has grown the business by listening to the needs of producers and identifying promising opportunities. One of the things he enjoys most about the business is getting to know customers in rural areas and helping them to improve their farming operations.
John has a long history of establishing small businesses in the services and primary industries sectors and growing them to profitability.
He has an extensive network amongst growers, manufacturers and retailers in Australia, NZ, Germany and the USA.
Emma Pethybridge
Marketing and Communications
Emma Pethybridge is John’s younger daughter. She has a Masters in Environmental Management, a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Human Geography and a Graduate Certificate of Business Management.
Emma has 20 years experience in sustainability-related roles. She worked with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation to help communities create opportunities in agriculture and in ecosystems service markets. Emma also worked in the Middle East with Emirates Nature-WWF and Expo 2020 Dubai, and in Vietnam and Canada for many years.
She has her own for-purpose company, Ethical Republic, which specialises in enabling the conservation economy, primarily through the development of nature-based enterprises alongside protected areas.
Emma’s role with Nut Solutions Australia is to support marketing and business development.
Carol Pethybridge
Business Administration
Carol is a retired Primary School Teacher, an artist and an entrepreneur herself.
She has previously owned and operated a tea rooms and has had several of her own art and craft labels, selling pieces online and through local retail gift stores.
Carol’s favourite medium at the moment is watercolour painting. She recently won an award for Best Emerging Artist.
Carol’s role with Nut Solutions Australia is supporting business administration.
“From start to finish, it was a pleasure dealing with John. If he doesn’t know something, he makes every effort to find out. He was very patient while I made up my mind.”
- Leon (Oil Press customer)