The Drinks Association held a successful Supply Chain & Logistics Forum in Melbourne on April 3 and 4.
It was an opportunity for the Drinks Association team, CEO Georgia Lennon, General Manager Rachel Wormald and Membership and Marketing Manager Kylie Le Lievre to share the Association's strategy, explore the purpose of the Forum, develop a blueprint for a sustainable future platform and identify areas that will continue to deliver value to member organisations.
Drinks Association's Corporate Partner GS1 generously hosted the workshop at its head office in Mulgrave.
Congratulations to Bacardi Martini's Paul Morris and Pernod Ricard's Courtney Ribbons on being elected as co-chairs of the Supply Chain & Logistics Forum.
During the workshop, GS1's Andrew Steele and Sean Sloan presented on the National Product Catalogue (NPC). The pair explored the vision for the industry to adopt the NPC, while John Bacon from Coles Liquor provided insights from a customer perspective.
Following the workshop, the group visited the historic CUB Abbotsford Brewery on the banks of the Yarra River, where Supply and Logistics Planning and Performance Director David Baxter provided a history of the company, followed by an entertaining and informative tour of the brewery facilities and production areas. The Forum members witnessed the fully automated quality control process along with a detailed presentation on the different types of hops. It was followed by a tasting of several flagship products at the CUB Brewhouse. The tour provided great insight into beer production, especially for those from other member companies.
In the evening, members had the opportunity to network and get to know each other over a casual dinner at the Terminus Hotel in Abbotsford.
Day two commenced with a presentation at Drinks Association Associate Member Mainfreight's expansive warehouse in Epping, on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Hosted by National Business Development Manager Brad Greer and Trade Manager James Robertson, the session provided great insight into logistical challenges, advanced technology and its impressive training program and facility.
Thank you to everyone who joined us including Sandra Gibbs and Anna Reid from Asahi Premium Beverages; Paul Morris from Bacardi-Martini Australia; Richard Powell and Josh Morris from BevChain; Jorge Jimenez from Brown-Forman; Salim Kudus from Campari; Brian Corner from Casella Family Brands; Rob Trembath from De Bortoli Wines; Courtney Ribbons from Pernod Ricard Winemakers; Frank Perotta from Coopers/Premium Beverages; Andrew Lewis from Samuel Smith & Son; Robert Hefter from Treasury Wine Estates; and Andrew Frelczak and Danielle Matthews from William Grant & Sons.
