Iconic Australian brands, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Vegemite, Four’n Twenty and Rosella have gathered virtually to share strategies to survive the current uncertainty. Collectively, the four brands have 320 years of experience, surviving floods, fires, and even the Great Depression.
In a period where consumers are being encouraged to purchase Australian-made brands, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is taking things one step further and encouraging local businesses to support fellow homegrown businesses.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO, John McLean met with chief decision-makers behind Vegemite, Four’n Twenty and Rosella, to start a network of guidance and support throughout the Australian FMCG and broader business community.
“Whether you are Australian-owned, manufactured or employing Australians, our national business community needs to be there for each other,” McLean said.
“If the changes brought on by COVID-19 become the new normal, we need to work together to ensure Australian brands live long into the future.
“For us, it’s not just about consumers supporting local brands; it’s about Australian businesses supporting Australian businesses – even if they’re not in the same category. If we can provide insights, suggestions or manufacturing capability that can help others navigate complex times, we will. Now is the time to know the capabilities of our wider business community and start the conversation about supporting each other.”
Procurement of ingredients, logistics, warehousing are all key concerns, and during COVID-19, local manufacturers may need to lean on each other. With the complications of global manufacturing, the brands hope to see more collaboration between Australian businesses to manufacture locally and potentially share each other’s capabilities.