Paul Crawford is the Managing Director of the CMV Group, a private family-owned business founded in 1934. Paul is a third-generation family member who together with his brothers, Michael and David, ran the business over more than four decades. The company is now transitioning to the 4th generation, of whom there are currently eight members.
The company operates in three key divisions CMV Automotive, CMV Trucks and CMV Farms. The geographic focus of the business is principally South Australia and Victoria. Head office for the CMV Group is located in Adelaide. The company has established successful franchise relationships with a number of leading products. CMV Automotive represents Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz & Suzuki, whilst CMV Trucks represents Kenworth, DAF, Volvo, Mack, UD and Hino. CMV Farms operates both horticultural and viticultural properties in both SA and Victoria. Our almond operations centre around SA Riverland area, whilst the pistachio operations lie to the east in Victoria centred around Robinvale. The total CMV Group comprises around 1700 employees, operating in over 50 sites, with a revenue in excess of $1.7bn.
Paul trained as a mechanical engineer and worked for PACCAR (Kenworth Trucks) (Germany) and AB Volvo Sweden before joining the family company in 1982. Since then, he has been more involved in general management with a specific interest in sales and marketing over the last 40 years with particular focus on growth strategies. His personal interests include cycling, sailing, flying and bush walking, as well as spending time at a cottage at Mount Pleasant in the Adelaide Hills. Paul has six children, including two stepchildren, Miles, Heidi, Pip, Bonita, Willis and James. The older three are part of the “4th Gen” cohort and have all been working in the business for some years. Paul has a genuine interest in understanding what a successful leadership transition looks like with a particular reference to family owned and operated businesses. He is also active in the operation of the CMV Group Foundation where he sits as a Trustee with his brothers, Michael and David. Paul is also currently the Chair of Redarc Electronics, a proud and successful business located in Lonsdale and Williamtown owned and operated by Anthony & Michele Kittel
