After 23 years leading Cooper’s Brewery – Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery – Dr Tim Cooper says it’s time to retire as managing director. He will remain the chief brewer and a director, providing input on brewing and technical matters.
“Brewing is in my blood, and I will continue to work at Coopers alongside my son Iain and the brewing team,” Cooper said. He is the fifth generation to build on the legacy of Coopers, which was established by Thomas Cooper in 1862.
The current general manager, Michael Shearer, who has been with the company for 20 years and the last six as GM, will move into the MD role.
Cooper said Shearer had been “instrumental” to Coopers’ growth during that time.
“Michael is an exceptional leader… I step down knowing that the company is on a steady path and will be in safe hands under Michael’s stewardship.
Shearer said it was “an honour” to become MD of a company “with such a significant heritage and exciting future”.
“Tim is one of the true legends of Australian brewing. His fearless and inspiring leadership has seen Coopers grow to become the country’s largest independent brewery, while remaining authentic and true to its heritage.
“Under Tim’s leadership, Coopers has cemented its reputation for brewing great tasting, value-for-money Australian beer. In addition to maintaining our strength in DIY brewing products, we have also become a leading supplier of malt and recently diversified into whisky production,” Shearer said.
Cooper studied medicine and was training as a cardiologist in the UK before he was drawn back to the world of brewing already deeply embedded in the family’s history. He gained his brewing science qualifications in Bristol, UK, then returned to Australia and joined Coopers as technical manager in 1990, before becoming operations manager. In 2002 he became managing director and chief brewer.
Leadership milestones
“My aspiration when I joined the brewery in 1990 was to carry on the family legacy. Prior to taking over as MD from my father Bill, I had the rewarding responsibility for the design and development of the new brewery at Regency Park,” he said.
He added that no one predicted the growth the company had after the Regency Park move.
“We embraced leading edge technology, a positive culture and a passion for beer quality. We took a strategic direction in 2002 to establish an interstate sales business which grew our beer distribution strongly. Our national market share increased from 1.5 to five per cent within 15 years.”
In 2017, Coopers unveiled a $60 million malting plant, at the time considered the most technically advanced of its kind in the world. Swiss manufacturer Buhler supplied the malting equipment and local company, Ahrens, led construction.
In 2019, the plant was awarded Maltster of the Year at the Global Brewing Supply Awards. And by 2020, Coopers had doubled its malt exports.
It hasn’t all been beer and skittles, in 2017, the company faced backlash over links with Bible Society Australia during the marriage equality debate. The Bible Society had released a video with two Liberal MPs discussing marriage equality while drinking Coopers.
The controversial Bible Society video followed the release by the brewery last week of a commemorative Premium Light beer with bible verses from the Bible Society printed on the cans. Bible Society said Coopers Foundation had been a strong supporter of its work, in particular the provision of bibles for the defence forces.
Cooper and then finance and corporate affairs director, Melanie Cooper – now the company’s chair, issued a video statement saying they were saddened by the impact its involvement with the Bible Society had, that the video conflicted with its core values, and that they “respected everyone’s opinions and beliefs”.
The brewery also cancelled the release of a planned Bible Society commemorative can and would be “taking steps to show further support for our community, including joining Marriage Equality Australia”.
Coopers had also survived a hostile takeover bid in 2005, which it survived with “the loyal support of our shareholders and a vigorous defence by our legal team,” Cooper said.
With the arrival of Covid, it was a wise move, with the company reporting bulk or kegged beer down 21 per cent in FY20 over FY19. And export sales of DIY beer up 31 per cent. Made the most of the drop off, spending $2 million to upgrade the keg line.
Investing in infrastructure and innovation are hallmarks of Cooper’s leadership. As well as the malting plant, he oversaw the $15 million 5500 square metre expansion to its warehousing facilities at Regency Park that boosted capacity by 50 per cent and allowed the company to store the entirety of its product on site.
Image: Studio Nine Architects
And what will truly be a legacy of his time as managing director, last year the company unveiled its $70 million visitor centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery at its Regency Park site. Cooper worked closely with the company’s strategy development manager, Louise Cooper, a sixth generation Cooper – and Cooper’s daughter – to realise the major project.
The 3200-litre microbrewery allows the Coopers brewing team to develop more craft-style beers to supplement its current portfolio and it will be used in the regular creation of new ales and lagers for the visitor centre.
Next to the microbrewery is a whisky distillery with a 9600-litre wash still and a 5500-litre spirit still. Material for the wash still will come from the microbrewery. The plan is to eventually produce 200,000 bottles per year.
“With the support of my fellow directors and shareholders, we have reinvested profit and taken on debt to pursue our expansion and diversification strategies. Coopers remains in a strong position,” he said.
All in the family
The brewery now employs sixth generation family members. Iain Cooper (Cooper’s son) is the company’s technical brewer, a role he took on after returning from 3.5 years working with Carlsberg in Copenhagen, focusing on malt research and honing his craft brewing skills. Coopers has a partnership with Carlsberg, brewing and distributing its pilsners in Australia.
Louise Cooper, his sister, is the brewery’s strategic development manager.
Their cousin, Andrew Cooper (son of company Chairman Glenn Cooper), is the brewery’s export beer manager and a director.
Andrew and Louise were closely involved in the design and planning process of the new centre.
The current Coopers board of directors is Mel Cooper (chair), Dr Tim Cooper, Dr James Cooper, Andrew Cooper, Cam Pearce and Rob Chapman. Louise Cooper is company secretary.
Beyond the brewery
Cooper established the Coopers Foundation in 2006, with proceeds from brewery tours being donated to Australian charities. It has raised more than $8 million to date.
In 2019 he was appointed president of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, the largest global professional body representing brewers, distillers, maltsters and cider makers.
He has also been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia Medal (AM) for service to the brewing industry, professional organisations and the community.
“To lead Coopers Brewery over the past 23 years has been both a privilege and a fulfilment. We have an impressive team at Coopers and together we have achieved more than what any of us could have imagined.
“I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, including sixth-generation Andrew Cooper, as well as other sixth-generation Coopers currently within the business. Along with our management team and our dedicated employees, we will continue to build on Coopers’ success in the years to come,” Cooper said.
The transition will come into effect on 1 March.
