INCREASING trust across the supply chain was the key theme of the inaugural Australian Grain Industry Logistics Conference, held in Melbourne this month.
Delegates heard how increasing trust could grow economic value and improve efficiency and how new technologies such as blockchain would play an important part in building trust from producers through to consumers.
Among those attending the event were grain producers, storage builders, storage operators, road and rail freight operators, researchers, regulators and consumers.
Grain Trade Australia chief executive Pat O’Shannassy said the event was significant.
“This was an important conference as it is the first time that industry has had an event to focus specifically on logistics and discuss how collaboration can help to increase efficiency and value to participants across the supply chain,” Mr O’Shannassy said.
Opening the conference was veteran industry figure Maurice James, managing director of Qube and chair of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
Mr James outlined the challenges and opportunities in the supply chain and highlighted the importance of sound policy and strategy.
Several industry leaders in global and domestic trade discussed challenges and opportunities in delivering grain to consumers more efficiently and providing consumers with more confidence.
Conference speakers outlined how sharing of certain information could increase efficiency and benefit supply chain operators, for example allowing reallocation of trucks to improve utilisation and reduce delays.
“We created this logistics conference as we understood there was demand from industry for a targeted forum to identify and discuss issues with a specific segment in the grains supply chain,” Mr O’Shannassy said.
“The response from industry and delegates has clearly supported this.” The conference was hosted by GTA, organisers of the annual Australian Grains Industry Conference, scheduled for 31 July and 1 August this year.
