Tribute to seed company’s co-founder

April 2017

PEET VAN DER WALT, advertising manager: Pannar

Mr Brian David Corbishley – cofounder and former owner of Pannar Seed – passed away on 7 January this year.

Born on 10 April 1937, he was part of the generation called the ‘silent generation’ – hard-working, family-oriented and minding their own business. After completing his matric, Corbishley started his career as a packhouse manager on a citrus farm in Weenen in 1954, but shortly thereafter joined the late Mr Bill Wall on Oakleigh Farm near Greytown. Throughout his life, he often spoke of the need to feed billions of people and, realising the need to develop quality maize seed, bought the majority shares in this fledgling operation,at the pricey sum of £300, with money he borrowed from his father. The company, originally known as Pioneer Seed Company, was officially registered on 27 May 1958.

Little did the 20-year-old Corbishley know that this company would one day become the biggest seed group in Africa and a respected role-player – not only in the South African agricultural sector, but also in the international seed market. The company grew steadily over the ensuing 20 years, continually expanding and adding to its processing, research, production and marketing facilities across the grain-producing regions of the country. During the 1980s, the Pioneer Seed Company stepped up its activities in other southern African countries and expanded its footprint across many borders. Along the way, the company changed its name to Pannar and then, in 2013, was sold to Du Pont and Pannar (Pty) Ltd changed its name to Plennegy (Pty) Ltd.

He certainly left behind a great legacy. Tens of thousands of people owe their jobs and family security to the companies he created and Greytown is certainly blessed to have had him make it the centre of his business empire.

Publication: April 2017

Section: Relevant