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History

Skybury Coffee’s successful domestic and international reputation has blossomed through the hard work and innovative, hands-on approach of co-directors Ian and Marion MacLaughin.

The couple shares a passion for their adopted homeland and a deep connection to the land itself. South-African born Ian was raised in Zimbabwe but decided to leave the country and his post as army captain in 1981 after Robert Mugabe came to power. 

The MacLaughlins moved to Oman, where Ian worked for the Sultan of Oman’s army, and then to the United Kingdom where the former soldier gained wider experience in the insurance and retirement industries.

Australia’s culture and climate called and the MacLaughlin family immigrated to Perth in 1987. After considering various business opportunities in Western Australia, Ian and Marion set off on their BMW R80GS to check out their new country.  They bought Skybury Coffee the same year.

Today, Skybury is Australia’s largest exporter of Arabica coffee (about 50% of the Skybury crop is exported), and was the first Australian grower to export green coffee to Japan, Europe, Canada and the United States.

And while producing coffee has been a demanding yet satisfying mainstay of the business, Ian and Marion are enjoying the results of their decision to diversify into growing quality sweet red papaya and bananas in the fertile soils of their estate.