to Deliver Redi

Gippsland forms an integral part of the story behind the success of leading food and beverage distribution company Redi Milk.

Words: Chris West / Photos: Doug Pell

Whenever we consume everyday products like fresh milk, dairy, juices and smallgoods, we recognise the brands on the labels but don’t often give thought to how they get to the retailers where we purchase them from. Distribution is a critical link in the chain and Redi Milk has been literally delivering the goods for more than 30 years.

A second-generation family business, Redi Milk started from humble beginnings in 1990 to become a leader in its field, now operating from a well-equipped depot base in Hallam which continues to expand in size in line with the company’s growth.

“We began with an old Bedford truck which was on its last legs and were based out of the facility in Rowville that is now Lactalis but back then was Associated Dairies,” recalls Gary Beardsley who founded the company with wife Lesley.

Owning his own business was something Gary always aspired to achieve, but dairy transport represented a seismic change from his previous whitecollar background in marketing management roles within the finance industry.

“The rationale behind my thinking was that everybody drinks milk. It’s healthy and will be here forever. I therefore figured I would not be buying into something that would go away tomorrow,” he explains.

“So, I just went and bought a milk truck.”

Throughout its history, Redi Milk has been careful to align itself with quality partners and products, a strategy that has proven to be a recipe for success. Today, the company distributes a wide range of products for a growing portfolio of prominent brand partners, including Sungold, Devondale, Saputo, Milklab, Real Dairy, Fonterra, Bertocchi, Don, Otway Pastures, Madam Tiger, Happy Soy, Oatly, Minor Figures, Capi, LoBros, Summer Snow, Bonsoy, Green Panda, Two Boys Brew and The Alternative Dairy Co.

Redi Milk’s 20-strong fleet of refrigerated trucks and Tautliners delivers their goods to a loyal customer base which includes a wide network of cafes, bakeries and smaller independent supermarkets, many of which are based in Gippsland.

Gary says that many of the partners they work with at present have previously attempted to manage their own distribution, but inevitably end up entrusting that specialised responsibility to Redi Milk.

“The bigger brands have all tried it at various stages, and we used to compete with those players. In the end, we outlasted them simply because we do it better,” he states.

“We claim to be best in the dairy distribution business in Victoria, a reputation that has been built on the quality of our service, the quality of presentation of our product, and the extent of our product range. We are also renowned for having the cleanest distribution fleet of vehicles out there. They all carry our Redi Milk branding, which adds to our visual presence and ensures our name is well known out there.” he decides he is ready to progressively step back and take a well-earned rest after all the years of hard work he has put into building the company from scratch. He is mindful that such a time is drawing nearer.

Gary continues to oversee the company and has been joined by sons Adam and Shannon who both perform critical leadership roles within the business.

As CEO, Adam looks after the day-to-day operations, whilst younger brother Shannon is heavily involved in the sales side, along with creating strategies around new opportunities and growth in the role of Business Development Manager.

Adam fondly remembers he and his brother first lending a hand in the business as teenagers on school holidays or days off, helping out on the truck with lifting, stacking and carrying products to customers.

“I’m still pretty hands on in the business but both Adam and Shannon and very capable. They are a big part of our operation today and represent the future of Redi Milk,” he says.

“Both have their own individual attributes and skill sets which complement each other to the great benefit of the company. Adam has a lot of prowess in the administrative and IT side of the business. He oversees the operation of our cool room and fleet. Shannon has a natural ability to network and communicate with customers, which has helped him become well liked and respected in the industry.” provides a wide range of chilled drinks from juices to kombucha and a sparkling soda and mineral waters. Unique flavour profiles provide a point of difference in this category.

Redi Milk’s evolution over more than three decades has seen the company carry and supply far more than just milk. A carefully selected product list has grown to now include a magnitude of alternative products which offer additional variety and choice.

“Our company could not exist on the basic staples alone,” Adam observes.

“Specialty products have become a key factor in our operation,” he adds.

From milk and cheese, butters, eggs and smallgoods, Redi Milk has become a major player in the distribution of plant-based milk products such as almond milk, oat milk, soy and the like. The evolution of dairy supply has seen Redi Milk become even stronger in this field. A range of juices also plays a prominent role in the company’s distribution model.

“Of all the additions to our product range over the years, one of the biggest and most significant changes has been the introduction of plantbased products which have become huge for us and the driver for taking us further into different areas,” Adam comments.

Redi Milk’s distribution reach depends on the type of product.

“With fresh milk we deliver into Melbourne and down into South Gippsland as far as Yarram and Cowes, and to Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley. We take the plant-based products as far as Bairnsdale, as well as other regional locations across the other side of Melbourne like Colac and Bendigo and even can arrange to deliver over the border into New South Wales,” Gary explains.

Gippsland is an integral part of the Redi Milk operation.

“It’s massively important to us,” Adam says. From our history we’ve seen growth opportunities in the region,” Adam says.

“In the last couple of years, particularly with the addition of Saputo Dairy products into our range, we’ve gone a lot further into South Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley into places where we haven’t had a presence before.”

The great affinity which the Beardsley family has developed with the Gippsland region began with Gary well before he founded Redi Milk. Having been born and raised in Warrnambool in Victoria’s south west, the progression of his previous working career in finance marketing took him firstly to the Bairnsdale area before a subsequent further relocation to Leongatha.

“The strength of my love of Gippsland far exceeds anywhere else I have had anything to do with,” he emphasises.

“Gippsland is very much the essence of what Redi Milk is all about.”

Maintaining an active presence in the local community is also a very important part of the company’s culture. Redi Milk employs throughout the Gippsland region and is proud to provide sponsorship support to local sporting organisations including the football/netball clubs of Berwick, Garfield, Nar Nar Goon and Phillip Island.

Redi Milk’s dedicated team of around 40 staff, and their united commitment to excellence in customer service, also form a vital part of the company’s success. Its people have been instrumental in ensuring the original ethos of the business has been maintained throughout the company’s ongoing transformation over time.

Customers have the convenience of being able to order online through the Redi Milk website or the option of placing phone orders in the traditional way if still preferring a personalised service.

Whilst the introduction of new brands and products has been important along the journey, the company still prides itself on being a trusted source of quality milk options that provide customers with choice.

Devondale, for instance, is a significant brand to Gippsland and is one of many premium milks that Redi Milk supports and represents. Other key brands in Redi Milk’s partner portfolio include Sungold and Jersey.

Sungold provides a ready-to-drink flavoured milk range amongst its products, whilst Jersey provides another multiple award-winning premium milk option for Redi Milk customers.

Although maintaining growth has become harder than ever in today’s market and economic backdrop, Redi Milk continues to seek new opportunities to enhance its operation.

For example, the company is currently in the process of expanding its base premises at Hallam to accommodate more dry plant-based product. The Redi Milk depot is already the envy of many in the industry, but the additional capacity will only make it even better.

Get Redi! – Redi Milk is delivering to South Gippsland

“There are always plans to grow and keep looking at product opportunities that may arise going forward,” Adam says.

“In general, we intend to continue doing what we’re doing well and ensure we maintain growth for the future.”

Redi Milk has set the bar high and will continue to uphold best practices in delivering high quality products to its customers.

“This is the ethos that has seen us become a leader in our field and will maintain our standing in the years to come,” Adam concludes.

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