Australian Vintage Limited takes the Supply Chain Management award for the second year in a row and for the first time, Accolade Wines is on equal footing for the win.
Advantage Australia’s Client Director, David McLoughlin explains that Australian Vintage Limited and Accolade Wines achieved the equal highest Advantage Score for Supply Chain measures to draw for first place. Accolade Wines is also Supplier of the Year.
Mr McLoughlin says, “It’s unusual but fantastic to see two suppliers recognised this year for best-in-class supply engagement. During a time of persistent challenges in maintaining supply continuity, retailers have appreciated both Accolade’s and Australian Vintage’s proactive supply communication, speed and agility in addressing supply issues and opportunities, and doing what they say they will do regarding service levels.”
This year is the third during which supply chain and logistics managers have weathered a storm of unpredictable conditions: the pandemic continues, along with warehouse and transport staffing problems, timber shortages impacting pallet availability, business and transport costs are on the up, raw materials are more expensive, energy costs are spiking and the war in Ukraine continues.
AVL's General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Jeff Howlett, said: “We’re really proud to receive this award for the second year in a row. This reaffirms that the hard work our incredible team has been doing to create an efficient, collaborative and innovative supply chain is being recognised across the industry. Putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do is core to our strategy and winning this award is aligned with that. As always, we really appreciate all the feedback we receive from our customers via Advantage and we are excited to continue to improve and optimise our supply chain management even harder into the future.”
Joe Russo, General Manager Supply Chain & Operations, ANZ who has been in his role at Accolade Wines since 2020 agrees that the customer-first approach is essential.
He said: “Accolade Wines set out to become the most customer centric supply business in Australia. Over the last two years, we have put our energy in collaborating with our customers on shared metrics, asking for help when needed, and working together on mutually beneficial outcomes.
“The Supply world has been hit with unprecedented challenges over the last 12 months, COVID, pallet shortages, natural disasters, global shipping pressure, cost increases on raw materials and I could go on. Yet, it has been our ability to stay in front of these challenges, work with our customers, and respond accordingly to deliver against our shared ambition.
"I’m so proud of our Accolade Wines team, their resilience and determination to turnaround our performance in a very short amount of time. A big thank you again to our customers for their continued support – we couldn’t be prouder.”
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The winners of the Supplier Awards are determined via Advantage Australia's Engagement Program of on- and off-premise retailers.
“A supplier will win the Supply Chain Management award based on the highest Advantage Score by combining all supply chain measures," explains. Steve Andrews, General Manager at Advantage. “The award recognises excellence in the capabilities and behaviours for managing both short- and longer-term supply complexities in collaboration with retailers and wholesalers, as well as the ability to consistently drive high quality service outcomes and deliverables.”
Specifically, this means:
• Collaborates on forecast and demand plans
• Aligns with key supply chain metrics
• Drives Supply Chain efficiencies
• Meets on time and in full requirements
• Customer Service communication
The Supply Chain Management Award is sponsored by GS1 Australia in a partnership intended to drive industry standards and improve business and supply chain efficiency in the drinks industry.
"Australian Vintage Limited and Accolade Wines have won this award because they have demonstrated exceptional skill around the fundamentals of supply chain management as well as an ability to collaborate with partners. Nothing happens in supply chain without collaboration, " said Maria Palazzolo, GS1 Australia Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.
“As GS1 Australia manages the most widely used suite of global open supply chain standards we are delighted to have the opportunity to support the Supply Chain Management Award."
A recent Deloitte study showed that 79 per cent of companies with high-performing supply chains, achieved above average revenue growth within their industries.
"An efficient supply chain leads to a better customer experience which has a flow-on for sales activity, but also a reduction in claims and other disappointments which can tarnish a business relationship. This keeps costs down and drives improved business performance," said Ms Palazzolo.
The Supply Chain Management Award is sponsored by GS1 Australia.
The Drinks Association congratulates Australian Vintage Limited and Accolade Wines.
All the winners from the Australian Drinks Awards are available here:
Photos by Belinda Rolland