[1] The family presently owns, in addition to 50% of Shiploads,[2] the Sypkes group which consists of their real estate and investment holdings across Tasmania.
[4] Engel's sons Peter and Rudie Sypkes founded Chickenfeed in 1990, a chain of discount variety stores located throughout Tasmania[1] and sold in 2001 for an estimated $35 million (AUD).
[13] He was also a director of the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies[14] Rudie Sypkes died of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2007.
[16] His passing was noted by the media and politicians, with tributes made by the Premier,[16] State Opposition Leader[17] and during a session of the federal parliament Senator David Bushby.
They were blamed for contributing to the demise of Chickenfeed by the company's communication manager, because of their continued ownership of a number of the store locations.