93 Redi Milk – A new chapter in a humble success story

Redi Milk

When it comes to success stories, Redi Milk is the cream of the crop. A hard-working family, with a love of quality products and supreme customer service, Redi Milk is bringing Gippslanders a taste of the best that Australian brands have to offer.

Gary Beardsley started Redi Milk in 1990 in Berwick, servicing Dandenong and surrounds. And his son Adam, just a child at the time, was always keen to help, as was his younger brother Shannon.

Adam recalls bumping along in their old Bedford truck, laden with milk crates, struggling to get up the hill, and Gary jokingly telling his young son that he might have to hop out and give the old girl a push.

It’s that same hard work and commitment to impeccable customer service that has seen Redi Milk grow from just one truck and 15 customers to a 20 strong vehicle fleet with brands lining up to be part of their success story.

“To start the business with that one Bedford truck and a handful of customers, it’s come a long way,” Adam explained.

“From very humble beginnings my father worked extremely hard to build his customer base. Whilst still at school in those days, once school holidays or weekends rolled in, I was straight out on the truck watching the growth begin, it was very impressive”.

Over the past 32 years Redi Milk has gone from strength to strength, with a steady stream of new brands joining the fold year after year. The company now sells much more than milk, including juices, alternative plant-based products, cheese, margarine, butter, water, eggs, yoghurts, smallgoods, health drinks, coffee, cups and even biodegradable straws.

“We could see the evolution of plant-based coming over the past few years and we’ve grown into this space. Soy entered the market, then almond milk really grew and developed. And now the oat milk category has really skyrocketed. We carry all the leading brands and are also involved with new product developments in which we can work alongside great companies from the ground up.

“We are aware of trends from overseas, and whilst able to see this develop into Victoria we are strongly aware of our unique offerings into our local areas we service. "I’ve also looked at other opportunities that are less impact to the environment and now some of our customer base is enjoying the opportunity to use such alternative products like hemp milk providing a non-allergen offering.”

Redi Milk’s base is now at Hallam, with the only purpose-built milk and food distribution centre of its type in metro Melbourne built in 2001. It was created with careful attention to detail, including Feng Shui principles.

The family lived in the Bairnsdale area early on before moving to Leongatha, where they were heavily involved in community groups and sporting clubs.

And that commitment to Gippsland has continued as the business has grown.

“There was a major change from milk brands in March this year, that was a pivot in what we can do now, not only in where we were, in the southeast and surrounds and into Melbourne, but obviously the focus is on Gippsland and to grow into this region going back to our roots where we’re from. We love the area, know the community, and our family are still involved there in some capacity.

“This has been an absolute pleasure to grow into this region with our new direction and grow those brands into different product opportunities, like plant-based and health based which is important to me. And also, sustainable products that we can bring to the marketplace; drinks, botanicals, kombuchas, products that are new and different to the market. It’s been with great joy we’ve been able to offer this to our customer base this year.”

For Gippsland businesses it means the opportunity to have access to brands including Devondale, Sungold, Jersey, Otway Pastures, Milk Lab, Alternative Dairy Co., Happy Soy Boy, Capi and Wheely Fruit to name a few.

And earlier this year Saputo Dairy Australia launched the local distribution of its range in Gippsland with Redi Milk.

“We’ve been able to do this by offering the customer service, offering a great portfolio of product and with great quality. We’re moving down further into south of Leongatha, coastal regions and also, we’ll be starting to deliver to Morwell in the coming weeks.

A New Chapter In A Humble Success Story

Words by Anita Butterworth | Photos by Doug Pell

“With the range now brings this freshness and premium branding into Gippsland, customers seem to have been loving what we’ve been offering. The frequency and quality of service completed with care, and really having the opportunity to know the drivers we employ from this region is something that has resonated.”

While Redi Milk now has a substantial offering of brands and products, Adam says they are very selective in who they work with.

“We look at the products carefully. We spend much time with the companies we deal with to ensure that there’s an alignment of values and direction. It’s important we introduce products that mean something to us whilst working with suppliers who are community orientated and support the focus on caring for the environment.”

In turn, there’s a constant stream of brands keen to have Redi Milk distribute their products.

“I have to say humbly that we are inundated with new opportunities, companies who do reach out to us that want us to carry their brands and they want us to support their products into Victoria. We are, more and more, asked to carry their products because of the way we support, the way we offer customer service and how we’re able to help deliver these brands. It’s been so enjoyable to work with these companies, and meet new amazing people along the way.”

At the heart of Redi Milk is family. Gary’s son Shannon plays a key role in the business through sales growth, customer development and supporting product promotion and marketing.

And another very important part of the Redi Milk family is the dedicated staff.

“They’ve been a big part of our transition, our growth, our change and they’ve all adapted, they’ve all shared the vision and they’re part of the family,” Adam says. “So, it’s an extension of us. It’s beautiful to be a part of. We’re growing our sales team as well and we’re looking to train and implement new systems, and support the development of our team.” While Gary remains heavily involved in the business, Adam is now firmly in the driver’s seat, helping attract new brands and expand distribution, in line with his health-focused ethos.

“Adam is very, very conscious of eating good food and bringing up his family the same way,” Gary proudly explains. “He’s a very good sportsperson, he’s been very successful in sport. He’s also been strongly involved in the health and wellness space for many years. So, when we take on any new product, unless it ticks the boxes and has got the right ingredients, Adam won’t let it come in here.”

While the old Bedford truck has well and truly been retired, the passion and work ethic of a father and son delivering the best quality products to their customers are very much still in top gear.

ADAM & GARY BEARDSLEY