ahead of time on equality and agility
When Olive Hurford told the bank manager she’d be looking after the accounts of her husband’s new building company, the story goes, the bank manager could not hide his perplexity. A woman? Managing money?
It was 1932, in Lismore, and that modern spirit has stood The Hurford Group in good stead. 86 years later, the company is one of the Northern Rivers’ longest-running businesses. Responding to changes in trade, economy and style, Hurfords is now primarily a timber producer.
“We’re constantly looking for opportunities to expand business or to improve on things. We spend a lot of money on R&D and we’re always on the lookout for new products,” says Lexie Hurford, who, at 79, still advises her family’s business.
Her husband Rob, 81, one of the founders’ sons and Lexie’s husband, is a Director and many of their relatives work in the business, including their son Andrew who is also Chair of Timber for NSW, and their son-in-law Bob Engwirda, who is Managing Director.
For a company that deals with hardwood, built-to-last quality, and has four generations of stewardship, the business is remarkably agile and responsive. The GFC, Lexie says, gave the business a moment to reflect and be creative, adding that playing a part in industry bodies gives the company a “bigger picture”.
One of their many products is flooring and walls for museums, galleries and spaces that make an impact.
“Our number one priority is producing the best looking product,” she says, explaining that Hurfords makes specialised runs of products according to clients’ needs.
Today, the group has sawmill, forestry and wholesale offshoots and is located in every capital city across Australia, as well as in New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Its customers buy NSW hardwood from all over the world.
“We’re fortunate that we have pretty unique forests,” says Lexie of the region’s 20 or so kinds of commercial timber. “We have a product that people would be proud to feature in a building.”
But it’s not the region’s forests alone that make Hurfords. Being close to nature and the coast, and connected to the local community, Lexie says, is what has held family and business together.
“We’re able to live here and do this, the lifestyle and local community has kept us here.”
Share this story
Read more stories
eclectic food innovator shines
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Peter-at-the-Yamba-bus-stop.-July16.jpg 1030 1030 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Peter-at-the-Yamba-bus-stop.-July16.jpgNicholson Fine Foods
The small coastal town of Yamba is home to the one of the world’s best eating prawns, the Eastern King Prawn. It’s also home to the highest…
Feeding Pets with a Passion for Purpose
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Frontier-Pets_Di-scaled.jpg 1947 2560 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Frontier-Pets_Di-scaled.jpgFrontier Pets
Diana Scott was more than a bit annoyed at being unable to find a premium quality food for her dogs that was also ethically produced, so she did what all great entrepreneurs do – she created it.
From trauma to business transformation
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Our-Cow.jpg 1620 1080 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Our-Cow.jpgOur Cow
For Casino-based meat providers Our Cow, the last three years have seen remarkable, game-changing growth.
building a good reputation
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brett_harley_building_002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brett_harley_building_002.jpgBrett Harley
When the only pub in town burns to the ground, it’s a big responsibility being the one chosen to rebuild it. The success of Uki’s new Mt Warning…
putting the business into ‘show business’
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Brainstorm-Productions-image2-scaled.jpg 2560 1709 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Brainstorm-Productions-image2-scaled.jpgBrainstorm Productions
You might think that COVID-19 would rattle a business that delivers educational theatre into schools. But the “show must go on” mentality runs deep for Brainstorm Productions’ founder and artistic director Jenny Johnson…
reinventing a special highway town
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rod-n-reel-woodburn-northern-rivers-002.jpg 1920 1080 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rod-n-reel-woodburn-northern-rivers-002.jpgRod n Reel Hotel
Woodburn NSW is a charming riverside town with which is about to embark on a transformation. When the Pacific Highway bypass is completed…
Creativity takes flight
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Honey-Hunt_Jules-Hunt-scaled.jpg 2560 2560 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Honey-Hunt_Jules-Hunt-scaled.jpgHoney Hunt Style
Jules Hunt moved to Byron Bay with her family 15 years ago because she wanted to raise her children with a strong sense of community. It was by chance that this move led to the flourishing of her artistic career – and more recently to her turn as a successful business woman.
Brothers spirit and legacy lives on
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JNotaris_Donna-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JNotaris_Donna-scaled.jpgJ. Notaras & Sons
J. Notaras & Sons owes its existence, strong identity and ongoing success to the dreams of two brothers of Greek ancestry.
The dream team
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Joel-Jensen_team-photo-scaled.jpg 2560 1707 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Joel-Jensen_team-photo-scaled.jpgJoel Jensen Constructions
Despite the pressures of running an award-winning construction company, there’s one thing Joel Jensen strives to do every day.
A planet of business diversity
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tropical-Fruit-World_Aymon-Gow-Main-Gate.jpg 2016 1512 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tropical-Fruit-World_Aymon-Gow-Main-Gate.jpgTropical Fruit World
It’s been almost 50 years since Robert and Valorie Brinsmead bought the 200-acre farm in Murwillumbah.
Cool to be kind and cans it
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Kind-Coffee-Co.-Product.jpg 957 1277 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Kind-Coffee-Co.-Product.jpgThe Kind Coffee Co.
The KIND Coffee Co, reflects its name in everything it does.
a natural business adventure
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Mount-Warning-Tours-01.jpg 1920 1080 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Mount-Warning-Tours-01.jpgMount Warning Tours
Despite only existing for four years, Mount Warning Tours’ short life has been eventful: from purchasing the ex-Murray River ferry Spirit of Wollumbin…
cooperative success, sweet for 150 years
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sunshine-sugar-richmond-valley-nsw-002.jpg 1000 627 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sunshine-sugar-richmond-valley-nsw-002.jpgSunshine Sugar
The Northern Rivers is home to generations of cane farming families who have not only built the sugar industry, but also saved the local…
Nurtured by nature
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GreenX7_Tim-Jack-Adams-scaled.jpg 2560 1723 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GreenX7_Tim-Jack-Adams-scaled.jpgGreenx7
For the past 10 years GreenX7 has been running workshops and retreats internationally and in the Tweed for clients as diverse as McDonald’s, Deloitte, Six Senses, and the Australian Defence Force, to inspire both individuals and teams to tap into the healing power of nature.
fastest growing, remains humble and local
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tripadeal-byron-bay-002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tripadeal-byron-bay-002.jpgTripADeal
For TripADeal, the figures speak for themselves: revenue in excess of $100million for 2017; 75,000 travellers sent to various…
building bridges with water
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Yaru-bottles.jpg 1600 1067 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Yaru-bottles.jpgYaru Water
“This unique partnership between an Indigenous family and a non-Indigenous family enabled Yaru Water to start changing the way the procurement…
old-fashioned approach reaps rewards
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/kyogle_country_Store_002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/kyogle_country_Store_002.jpgKyogle Country Store
It feels like a brave decision, buying a hardware and rural supplies store in the age of the corporate superstores. Though it was a challenge…
effective creatives have all the fun
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cumulus-vfx-byron-002.jpg 1000 750 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cumulus-vfx-byron-002.jpgCumulus VFX
They’ve walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Hoges. Gone down the garden path with Peter Rabbit. Flown Katie Holmes over…
planting natural beauty
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/biologi-product-shot-scaled.jpg 2048 2560 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/biologi-product-shot-scaled.jpgBiologi
There was a little bit of the “weird spirit of Byron Bay” in the 2017 creation of the natural skincare range, Biologi, says co-owner Lucy Macdougald of her chance meeting with Ross Macdougald, who is now both her business partner and husband…
Townsend taproom breakthrough brews
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sanctus-Brewing.jpg 1123 627 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Sanctus-Brewing.jpgSanctus Brewing Co.
When Sanctus Brewing Co. began life in 2019, there was no indication that the brewery would go on to enjoy the immense success it has over the last three years.





















