WEST PERTH, AUSTRALIA — The CBH Group has been named Australia's No.1 cooperative in the Top 100 Co-operatives, Credit Unions and Mutuals list released by Co-operatives Australia last week, the company announced on Sept. 7.

Co-operatives Australia, the national body for state cooperative federations, compiled the list of the top 100 performers based on total group revenue including marketing pool revenues. Industries represented in the list include agriculture, financial services, insurance and retail.

CBH Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Crane said being listed as Australia's No.1 cooperative, with total revenue of A$3.55 billion, is a significant milestone for the CBH Group.

"Furthermore, it's a significant achievement for our members — the growers of Western Australia," Crane said. "The CBH Group is a grower owned and controlled business and we are unique in the benefits we provide the Australian grain industry. The Top 100 list demonstrates that co-operatives can be just as financially secure and successful as corporate entities."

Crane said the CBH Group had undergone significant transformation over the past 12 months in order to become a far more efficient and effective organization with the aim to create even more value for grain growers.

"Over the coming month I will join Chairman Neil Wandel as we conduct our annual chairman/CEO meetings and meet with members across the state to discuss the issues impacting the future of their cooperative," Crane said.

The CBH chairman/CEO meetings kick off in Three Springs and Mullewa on Sept. 10 and will wind up in Brookton on Oct. 13.