There’s a load on mind of Riordan Grain
LARA grain transport and logistics company Riordan Grain has loaded 17 bulk export vessels in the past year as it continues to give farmers a direct route to overseas markets.
The company has passed a million tonnes of bulk export grain since launching its disruptive mobile loading system four years ago.
In celebrating its 25th year in business, the company revealed in the past year it has freighted 1.3 million tonnes of grain and fertiliser.
It packed 6617 containers and loaded 17 bulk export vessels from Geelong and Portland with grain sourced from Victorian and NSW farmers.
In 2017, Riordan Grain’s bulk export system created an alternative for farmers to the state’s two heavyweight grain exporters, ending the need for farmers to go through their major port terminals.
Managing director Jim Riordan said the support of government, the port and the community had been critical to achieving the one million bulk export milestone.
“In fact, the millionth tonne, when we did the calculations, came directly from a farm to the ship at GeelongPort,” Mr Riordan said.
“As a business, that’s our ultimate goal; to see farmers be involved in the whole process from the paddock right through to the ship, which then goes straight to the customers overseas.
“It’s as direct as we can make our supply chain.”
Riordan Grain exports to countries including China, Kuwait, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, UK and Vietnam.
The company started at Winchelsea, growing from a oneperson operation in 1996 to a $300m business employing about 100 permanent staff plus contractors.
The company owns and operates sites at Geelong, Balliang, Lismore and Edenhope.