Raymond Lewis Tanner AM is a highly respected Australian cold chain and logistics industry leader whose career spans more than three decades across refrigerated warehousing, transport, food distribution, refrigeration and industry representation.
In 2026, Ray was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division as part of the King’s Birthday Honours, recognising his significant service to social welfare and to the transport and logistics industry.
The honour reflects a distinguished career characterised by industry leadership, commercial achievement, community service and a longstanding commitment to advancing Australia’s refrigerated warehousing and transport sector.
Leadership in Australia’s Cold Chain
Ray spent five years as General Manager of Frigoscandia in Melbourne, a global leader in freezing technology, food storage and refrigerated transport, before commencing a 26-year career with Swire Group Australia.
As CEO and Managing Director responsible for Swire Cold Storage Australia, Ray played a significant role in the development of Australia’s modern refrigerated logistics sector. He oversaw the integration of four companies into a single national organisation and was responsible for an operation encompassing 24 refrigerated facilities, approximately 1,500 employees and 450 refrigerated vehicles.
During his time with Swire, Ray established and managed major contracts with some of Australia’s leading retailers, including Coles and Woolworths, and worked closely with major food suppliers including Unilever, Nestlé, Simplot and McCain Foods.
His work helped align cold storage and refrigerated transport operations with the increasingly sophisticated requirements of Australia’s retail food supply chain.
Ray was also instrumental in developing systems with major retailers to transition from traditional cold storage practices towards international-standard refrigeration and cold chain platforms. This included studying retail, supplier and manufacturing practices in the United Kingdom and Europe and applying those international learnings within the Australian cold chain.
His international experience extended to the development of Swire Cold Storage interests in China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Service to the RWTA
Ray’s commitment to the refrigerated warehousing and transport industry has extended well beyond his executive career.
A longstanding member and supporter of the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association of Australia (RWTA), Ray served the Association as State President, National Vice President and Director, including periods as a Director from 1996–2001 and 2003–2006.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution and service to the Association and the wider refrigerated warehousing and transport industry, Ray was awarded Life Membership of the RWTA.
Ray has remained a valued member of the RWTA community over many years, generously sharing his experience, industry knowledge and friendship with successive generations of cold chain leaders.
Industry and Governance Contribution
Ray subsequently brought his extensive commercial and governance experience to the superannuation sector. He served as a Victorian Director from 2003 to 2006 before becoming South Australian Director and Chairman of Operations and Procurement with the Labour Union Cooperative Retirement Fund (LUCRF) Superannuation.
He was also a member of the fund’s Investment Committee from 1995 to 2012 and Chairman of Membership Services from 2006 to 2012, during a period in which the industry fund managed approximately $4 billion.
Ray’s broader industry involvement has included the Logistics Association of Australia and the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses in the United States, as well as a nomination for a directorship of the World Food Logistics Organization.
He has held memberships with the Australian Institute of Marketing, Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ray has also held numerous board and chairman positions. He was a foundation member and Chairman of the South Australian Sea and Air Council from 2001 to 2006 and has served as Chairman of OOMIAK Refrigeration Services.
His other directorships and business interests have included Tanner 3 Pty Ltd, J.S. McKinley Pty Ltd and Montague Pty Ltd, one of Australia’s significant cold storage operators and fresh produce suppliers.
Beyond his commercial and industry contributions, Ray has supported the important work of Foodbank and its efforts to provide food relief to Australians experiencing hardship.
His professional development has included studies through Macquarie University, Melbourne Business School Executive Education at Mount Eliza, the University of Melbourne and INSEAD in France.
A Lasting Contribution
Throughout his career, Ray Tanner AM has combined operational leadership, commercial development, governance and international experience with an enduring commitment to Australia’s cold chain and the communities it serves.
His contribution to the development of modern refrigerated logistics practices, his many years of service to the RWTA and his wider contribution to social welfare represent an important part of both the Association’s history and the evolution of Australia’s cold chain industry.
The RWTA is proud to recognise Ray as a Life Member and warmly congratulates him on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia, a fitting acknowledgement of an exceptional contribution to industry and the community.
