The former and current Co-op employees joined at the Vine Inn, Nuriootpa, on Thursday to celebrate the departure of its chief executive officer David McArthur.

David, who worked for the company for 30 years, was also joined by the former Co-op chief executive officer Bert Schultz.

Mr Schultz, now 92, was part of the company for 16 years.

According to Mr Schultz the difference between his time with The Co-op and Mr McArthur’s time was the change in technology.

He explained part of the reason he left was because everything became computerised and it was also time for a change of hands.

As for the continued success of The Barossa Co-op, with only a couple of co-operatives still run in Australia, Mr Schultz said it comes down to being able to adapt to new ideas and keeping up with the trends.

He also said Foodland has helped The Co-op to thrive.

Meanwhile, Graeme Longmuir, from Victoria, takes on the new role after two years as chief executive officer of Total Tools, a $100million warehouse tool retailer with stores around Australia.

He also held senior management positions with Food Works, the Mitre 10 Group, Bunning’s Hardware, Coles Myer, Kmart and Lockwood Australia.

Mr Schultz said Mr Longmuir will fit in to the role well because of his background.

“A lot of people nowadays don’t stay in the job for very long. Places need change and new ideas all the time and this will be a good change”.