Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, Adelaide BMW unveiled its new Adelaide showroom and Maggie Beer Holdings welcomed a new investor. Plus, the latest business events.
- Adelaide BMW unveils new showroom
- Maggie Beer Holdings gains new investor
- Igneo sells stake in Adelaide Airport
- Star Pharmacy introduce in-store defibrillators
- Australia poised to become second-largest rare earth producer
- Elixir Skin Fitness moves to Norwood
- Credit Union SA funding for 25 SA schools
- SA best in show
- SA government space scholarship announced
Adelaide BMW unveils new showroom
Upgrades to Adelaide BMW’s West Terrace location have been completed after eight months of work.
The upgrades created a dual showroom with Adelaide MINI Garage, and include the addition of large-format configurator screens, digital spec stands and integrated delivery displays.
“This upgrade is a promise to our community — a place where the thrill of great engineering meets the ease of great service, on every visit for every guest,” Adelaide BMW & Adelaide MINI Garage Dealer Principal Mark Philp said.
The showroom officially opened on 17 October, with a BMW-powered Benneton Formula One car and racer MINI Broadspeed on display.
Maggie Beer Holdings gains new investor
Proprietor of Bickfords Group of Companies Angelo Kotses has acquired a 19.99 per cent interest in Maggie Beer Holdings Limited (MBH).
MBH Chair Mark Lindh said the board welcomed the investment and the development was “very exciting”.
“He and his team have significant experience in growing fast-moving consumer goods and premium food and beverage businesses and we are hopeful we can draw on these skills to continue to grow the Maggie Beer Holdings Limited group,” he said.
The investment would follow the sale of its dairy business in June after recording losses of $28 million in 2024.
Igneo sells stake in Adelaide Airport
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Global infrastructure manager Igneo Infrastructure Partners has sold its minority holding in Adelaide Airport after 27 years of investment.
Igneo’s 15.26 per cent stake was sold to existing Adelaide Airport shareholders UniSuper and IFM at a confidential transaction price.
The Adelaide Airport shareholder group now consists of UniSuper at 60.73 per cent, IFM at 20.09 per cent, Hostplus at 15.03 per cent and Perron at 4.15 per cent.
Star Pharmacy introduce in-store defibrillators
Star Pharmacy Group have begun the installation of defibrillators in 46 stores across Australia including Adelaide-based locations in Glenelg, Marion, Firle and Prospect.
More than 26,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest per year, with the survival rate at about 10 per cent.
According to the Heart Foundation, the cardiac arrest survival rate increased to around 50 per cent when defibrillators and CPR are used by bystanders.
The rollout would ensure locals would have access to nearby defibrillators for sudden cases of cardiac arrest.
“The installation of defibrillators across our pharmacy network further strengthens our commitment for health and wellbeing in local communities,” Star Pharmacy Group CEO David Clark said.
Australia poised to become second-largest rare earth producer
A new report from analysis platform Earth Rarest has revealed Australia could overtake the US to become the second-largest producer of rare earth elements (REE) to be used for renewable energy and technology components.
The report analysed Australia’s rare earth mining landscape, global production data and multiple REE projects in the pipeline.
China is the largest producer of REEs and contributes 270,000 tonnes or 70 per cent of the global supply, with the US contributing 12 per cent and Australia 3 per cent.
It comes as SA-based mining company Australian Rare Earths rose by 66.67 per cent on the ASX for the week ended on October 10.
“With projects already underway, Australia is making progress and will be well placed to lead the Western world in producing the materials necessary for clean energy, technology devices and defence,” spokesperson for Earth Rarest Russell Gous said.
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2025 AHA|SA Hotel Industry Awards for Excellence: The Awards Gala Dinner is your opportunity to help celebrate the hospitality industry’s achievements on October 21. South Australian Zero Homelessness Summit 2025: This event on October 23 aims to unite key stakeholders from across the state to foster practical solutions for ending homelessness in South Australia. South Australia’s Biggest Mentally Healthy Business Breakfast 2025: Join the South Australian Business Chamber for the South Australia’s Biggest Mentally Healthy Business Breakfast 2025 on October 31. |
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Elixir Skin Fitness moves to Norwood
Elixir Skin Fitness has officially moved into a Norwood-based clinic as the business celebrates its tenth year of operation.
The business specialises in managing inflammatory skin conditions and accelerated ageing prevention and was named South Australia’s Best Skin Health Clinic by Vogue Australia in 2018.
“The new space is a vision for us to say that you are not just receiving a treatment, you are part of an integrative journey that honours both your skin and your overall wellbeing,” Elixir Skin Fitness Creative Director Rose Bonasera said.
Elixir Skin Clinic is now located at 7/100 Magill Road, Norwood.
Credit Union SA funding for 25 SA schools
Credit Union SA has announced the 2025 recipients of its School Impact Program which provides a total of $100,000 in funding for schools in drought-affected communities.
The 25 successful recipients were selected from more than 260 applicants, with Orroroo Area School and Booleroo Centre District School receiving the top funding.
The funding would assist the construction of a new bike track for the Orroroo Area School and would assist Booleroo Centre District School in the development of an agricultural program.
“Our independent panel did a fantastic job allocating funding to schools and initiatives where the impact will be both immediate and long-lasting, benefitting not only today’s students but future cohorts as well,” Credit Union SA CEO Todd Roberts said.
SA best in show
South Australia has been awarded the national honour of Best Event State at the 2025 Australian Event Awards and Symposium ceremony held on October 15 in Coffs Harbour.
The award recognised achievements across the entire Australian events industry and is awarded to the state or territory where the largest number of high-quality events have occurred.
“South Australia has once again proven we are the best events state in Australia,” Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said.
“Although it is no surprise to us that South Australia has earned such fantastic national recognition, this win shows the strength of our events and festivals all year round.”
SA had many representatives in other categories, with the Santos Tour Down Under a finalist for Best Sporting Event and Adelaide Fringe a finalist for Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event.
SA government space scholarship announced
A state government-funded scholarship for future SA space leaders to attend the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) in 2026 is now open for applications.
Four scholarships funded by the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) on behalf of the state government would be available, with successful applicants to attend the SHSSP from 12 January to 6 February.
The four-week program is for both local and international attendees who are looking to join the space profession and South Australia’s space sector.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government is committed to providing the South Australian space sector with a pipeline of qualified future space leaders who can play an integral role in the sector’s growth,” Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Economy, Defence and Space Industries Michael Brown said.
Applications for the SASIC 2026 SHSSP scholarships are open until 30 October 2025.
