In September, 1960 it was bought out by Pict Pty Ltd and expansion of the factory meant more suppliers were needed and these were found in the Gatton and Boonah regions, Gladstone, Grafton and Quirindi.

Field officers supervised quality production and Pict took over all harvesting operations, mowing, loading and carting peas grown under contract.

The factory was able to process for about eight months of the year and pack for 12.

A mechanical bean harvester bought in 1965 was thought to be the first used north of Sydney.

In 1966 a free flowing tunnel was put in -  the most advanced method then of freezing vegetables. Next came the dehydration process and in 1968 massive new machinery was installed.

Mainly peas and beans and lesser quantities of sweet corn, cauliflower and butter beans were processed. There are many who will remember that nauseous feeling as they monitored the vegetables flowing past on the conveyer belts!

In 1972 the firm was taken over by British Tobacco which merged with Watties. Manager Tony Beniac retired in March, 1976  and Max Attenborough took over with a permanent staff of 60, which increased to 150 with casual workers.

On April 1, 1976 The Examiner announced that the biggest industry in Glen Innes: “The Wattie Pict frozen vegetable processing factory at Glen Innes is to close on May 1.” 

Employees (10 food processors, field maintenance people, refrigeration engineers and clerks) were given a month’s notice. A spokesman for the company told the Examiner: “that the decision to close the factory was the result of a reduced vegetable supply due to the loss of crops in the recent floods…”

The Severn Shire Council bought the buildings as a works depot.

Ron Kerr, Jack Stapleton and John Lee all worked there. The historical society would be interested to hear from other people employed.