It was a dual victory for the 2024 Supply Chain Management Award, with Brown Family Wine Group winning for the first time since the award’s inception in 2018, together with Lion, who previously held the title in 2018 and 2019.
The two companies were presented with the award last Thursday night in front of around 400 attendees at the 2024 Australian Drinks Awards, hosted at the Hilton Sydney.
Advantage Australia’s Engagement Program determines the Supply Chain Management Award. It recognises supply chain excellence in the capabilities and behaviours for managing short and longer-term supply complexities in collaboration with retailers and wholesalers and the ability to consistently drive high-quality service outcomes and deliverables.
Specifically, it is awarded to a supplier that:
- Collaborates on forecast and demand plans
- Aligns with key supply chain metrics
- Drives supply chain efficiencies
- Delivers on time and in full
- Maintains customer service communication
Advantage Australia’s Managing Director, Steve Andrews, explained that the Supply Chain Management Award had been shared between Brown Family Wine Group and Lion in a competitive year of good performances from many suppliers in the area.
He said: “Brown Family Wine Group have been a solid performer in supply chain management for a few years, and this year, they were able to add an improvement in their collaboration on forecasting to their other supply chain strengths to be recognised as joint-best-practice.”
“Lion continued to build on an outstanding improvement in supply chain management in 2023, taking their results a step further to be recognised as leading in this area. Lion’s improvement across many commercial and supply competencies was recognised this year, so it’s great to see them share this award,” added Andrews.
GS1 Australia has proudly sponsored the Supply Chain Management Award for the past four years as it aligns with the business's goals of driving industry standards and improving business and supply chain efficiency.
Maria Palazzolo, GS1 Chief Executive Officer, said: "As a strategic partner of the Drinks Association, GS1 Australia strives to enhance supply chain efficiency in the drinks industry through standards development and adoption. This is why we are once again delighted to sponsor this year’s Supplier Award for Supply Chain Management.”
“Congratulations to Brown Family Wine Group and Lion on winning this year’s Supply Chain Management Award.”
Andrew Steele, Director of Retail at GS1 presented the award to both companies on the night.
Shane Bulluss, General Manager Sales, at Brown Family Wine Group accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Following the event, Lee Rowland, Brown Family Wine Group’s Head of Supply Chain said: “Over the last two years, we have had a strong focus on improving our Supply Chain performance and customer collaboration to get our product into the hands of our customers and consumers when they want it, more than ever before.”
“This focus has delivered many benefits for our business and our customers, and to be recognised as a leader in Supply Chain Management across the entire drinks industry is truly an amazing honour that we thank our customers for, and recognise this as a truly collaborative effort across our business.”
Brown Family Wine Group took home a total of three awards on the night. In addition to the Supply Chain Management Award, the company won two Brand Awards: Brown Brothers Moscato Zero was named the Fan Favourite in the Non-Alcoholic Wine category, while Brown Brothers Prosecco Zero received the Non-Alcoholic Wine Gaining in Popularity award.
Accepting the award for Lion was Megan Sunderland, Director Supply Chain Management.
In her speech, Sunderland said: “The team has worked really hard to get this award, so we are very pleased. Everybody from the breweries to customer service and to our peers in sales, marketing and finance. It’s been a fantastic year. Thank you very much.”
It was also a big night for Lion, winning six awards across all three categories.
Alongside its Supplier Award for Supply Chain Management, Lion received two of the three Contribution to Industry Awards: Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative and Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative.
Lion also took home two Fan Favourite Brand Awards for Craft Beer with Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and Non-Alcoholic Beer with Heineken 0.0, as well as a Gaining in Popularity Brand Award for Tooheys New in the Classic Beer category.
Lion's success at this year’s Australian Drinks Awards follows its achievements at the 2024 Coles Liquor Supplier Awards a week prior, where it was named Beer Supplier of the Year and Supply Chain Partner of the Year. Lion also received the Product Launch of the Year award for its RTD, Kirin Hyoketsu.
Edwina Bartholomew was MC at the 12th annual Australian Drinks Awards, where 48 awards were distributed to recognise achievement and excellence in the drinks industry, including four Supplier awards: Supplier of the Year, Most Improved Supplier, Category Management and Supply Chain Management.
The Drinks Association congratulates its Category One Members Brown Family Wine Group and Lion for winning the 2024 Supply Chain Management Award.
Advantage Australia and GS1 are Corporate Partners of the Drinks Association.
The Drinks Association would like to extend its thanks to its generous sponsors for this year’s event.
All the winners from the 2024 Australian Drinks Awards are available here: