Colefax Chocolate Family Story
Redefining world standards of excellence, Colefax Chocolates combine the traditional European techniques of chocolate creation with a modern flair of flavour and design.
The Early Days
Colefax Chocolates was established in 1989.
Based in the inner western suburb of Earlwood, it was quickly recognized as the premier Handmade Chocolate manufacturer in Sydney.
Poor management and lack of marketing skills saw the business lose ground and many clients were lost due to poor service. With caretaker management appointed, the business was purchased in January 1998 by Peter and Lisa Lee who have consequently changed the look, and the way the business is run.
During the first 3 years of owning the business, the major focus was on internal change. Employing the right staff and production techniques was the first hurdle. You cannot sell product if you can’t make it in a timely or efficient manner.
Many systems and procedures were put into place to ensure that the chocolates were produced and hence delivered on time. A better quality control system was implemented together with the removal of antiquated operating procedures developed years ago. The product range was standardized together with costing and pricing structures. The staff were involved in much more of the decision making process and were given clear directions, guidelines and targets.
The next focus was to increase the customer base. Having now the assurance that the product will be available, a larger market was needed to increase the products reach.
Many traditional outlets were targeted, such as specialty confectionery shops, hotels and restaurants. However a drive was made into those non-traditional outlets such as florists, boutique hotels and guest houses, together with corporate and business promotional needs.
Being entirely Handmade, virtually any product is achievable, and we soon started tailoring product specifically to customers’ needs. Whether that is with product taste or decoration, the style of presentation boxes or in reaching desired price points; we can almost always meet the client requirements.
The Expansion
It was in early 2001 that Colefax Chocolates would relocate the business operations to bigger and better premises in Ramsay Street, Haberfield.
The layout was designed specifically to our style of chocolates and our production methods, and allowed for the additional of new equipment which broadened our product range. It was also imperative that the new kitchen would contribute to increased production, a better quality of product and a more timely and reliable wholesale service.
At this time we simultaneously opened our first retail outlet adjoining the new kitchens. This proved extraordinarily popular and allowed us to develop a completely new range of chocolate products directly targeting the retail sector. Numerous new and innovative ideas were borne from these early days, many of which are still available today.
Our flagship store was recently refurbished in 2008 to include a boutique coffee and chocolate lounge offering a wide variety of hot chocolate, coffee, and cakes. This has always our dream since those early days in Earlwood, and the new look Colefax Chocolates has rapidly become an indulgent destination for both our local customers, and for chocolate lovers from all over Sydney.
Our final move in 2007 was to a much larger, and purpose built factory located in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown. This new venture is a state of the art facility widely regarded as the best of its type in the country.
With increased storage capacity and pallet facilities, further advances are allowed for in product development and packaging ideas. Production and distribution has been greatly streamlined with bar code technology, and specific development areas allow for much greater product creativity and design.
Overall this new building is 64 times bigger than our humble start in Earlwood almost 12 years ago ... but the story will continue.
The Driving Force
Peter and Lisa Lee have been the driving force behind the Colefax Chocolartes success since January 1998.
Lisa has been involved in the hospitality industry her whole career. She has a great eye for detail, good food taste and excellent customer service. All of these attributes have been used to increase our product quality and customer satisfaction. She is the pillar of quality and service within the business and maintains these standards with all staff and customers.
Through much international travel with the Airlines, Lisa has visited chocolate shops from all over the world and has drawn on this experience to develop the Colefax Range.
Lisa is the company’s Business Manager and is responsible for all Product Development and Quality Assurance, Retail Operations and Human Resources.
Peter studied business at university and started working for a confectionery importing company in 1987. Through that company, he was responsible for sourcing product, securing the Australian import rights, then selling and marketing that product to the Australian confectionery market.
International travel has seen him visit most confectionery production facilities around the world, while locally he was responsible for confectionery wholesalers, supermarket chain stores, and mass merchant buyers. Through this, a vast network of contacts has been established around the world.
Peter is the company’s Managing Director and is responsible for all aspects of Production, Wholesale Sales and Distribution, and for the Strategic development of the business.