The Supply Chain Forum finally had the opportunity to come together in Sydney in early June after more than two years since the last gathered. Brown-Forman hosted the opening day in their Sydney office, welcoming attendees with breakfast before kicking off the day.
Freight forwarder Hillebrand Gori gave the opening presentation before Mads Aaboe, Area Director - BWS Oceania and Johann Franzsen, Head of Sales - BWS Oceania updated the team as to the current state of play with regards to shipping, exploring the challenges faced over the past two years and the ongoing freight supply issues which are multi-faceted and with no end in sight until 2024. The team explored the increase in shipping rates, inflation, container shortages, route amendments and trans-shipments through Shanghai.
Dave Jackson, National Customer & Industry Development Manager for NTI (National Transport Insurance) shared an important presentation on the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) Implementation and reminded the group that all businesses with trucks on the road need to implement a CoR management system. He was conveyed specific examples and statistics relating to road incidents to demonstrate the importance of CoR.
Rob Hefter, Logistics Operations Manager for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), shared the supplier perspective and gave the group some insights into how TWE implements their management system: setting up a leadership team with representatives from many parts of the business to ensure it is operationally embedded through Logistics, Procurement, Health & Safety and People & Culture.
The group then headed to the BevChain facility at Silverwater where the management team detailed their strategy and provided a site tour.
Utilising Swisslog software, the automated facility includes more than 30,000 pallet locations with vertical conveyors transferring pallets to and from one of five levels. This, along with the automated unloading system, ensures accuracy, storage optimisation, and injury reduction. It’s easy to see why BevChain were recently awarded the Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Award (ASCLA) in the Supply Chain Management category.
Our thanks to Brad Greer from Mainfreight for hosting dinner in Parramatta where the team could relax and enjoy the opportunity to network with other members.
Day two began with a tour of the VISY can-making facility in Smithfield where the group was taken through the end-to-end production of aluminum beverage cans. It was fascinating. Fitted out with noise cancelling headphones, the group was able to walk through the facility and follow the entire process from the stamping out of 10 tonne rolls of aluminum through the press, to the printing, flanging, finishing, and packing process. With only ten team members per shift, they are able to produce an impressive 2.1 million cans per day! Work has begun on an expansion project, with the anticipated commissioning of a 2nd line by December 2023. The expansion will enable the site to increase capacity by 600m cans per year.
The Drinks Association's two-day forum finished on a high with lunch and an educational journey through the Lion Brewery at Lidcombe led by Chris Sproats - Brewing & Beverage Technical and Performance Director. With a can line filling 1500 cans per minute, it certainly is a busy place.
We had the opportunity to understand some of the challenges facing brewing businesses from labour & dry goods shortages to hops commodity price rises, obtaining grain out of Ukraine and the increasing malt prices.
Thank you to everyone who joined us including Mark Alexander – Australian Vintage Limited, Tim Green – Australian Vintage Limited, Paul Morris – Bacardi-Martini, Jorge Jiminez - Brown-Forman, Matthew Cook – Campari, Jeff Harper – William Grant & Sons, Darren Mumford – Lion, Raelene Treseder – Lion, Jack O'Donnell – Metcash, Courtney Ribbons - Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Carlee McGowan - Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Rob Hefter – Treasury Wine Estates, Hayley Thompson-Pettitt – Moët Hennessy, Hamish Cole - BevChain, Jamie Single – BevChain, Andrew Steele – GS1, Brad Greer – Mainfreight.
The next forum is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 & Wednesday, 14 September in Melbourne.