Revolutionising Cold Chain Efficiency: The Power of Experion’s Digital Transformation
See how Experion is redefining transport and warehouse operations through intelligent digitisation.
Step inside the future of logistics where innovation meets precision - see how Experion is redefining transport and warehouse operations through intelligent digitisation.
From real-time tracking to seamless automation, this is technology designed to make every movement smarter, faster, and more sustainable.
Don’t just move goods - move forward with Experion’s digital edge.
RWTA Victorian Golf Day, a swinging success!
It was a fantastic day on the green, with a record-breaking 111 players enjoying great golf and forging new business connections.
It was a fantastic day on the green, with a record-breaking 111 players enjoying great golf and forging new business connections.
Thank you again to our Sponsors!
A Cool New Era: Daniel Wilton Appointed CEO of Transport Refrigeration Services.
Transport Refrigeration Services (TRS) has announced the appointment of Daniel Wilton as its new Chief Executive Officer
Transport Refrigeration Services (TRS) has announced the appointment of Daniel Wilton as its new Chief Executive Officer - a move that signals strong leadership continuity and confidence in the company’s future. Known for his strategic vision and commitment to both people and performance, Daniel has been instrumental in TRS’s national growth and service excellence. Read more about his appointment and TRS’s next chapter of innovation and expansion.
Labourforce talks Flexible workforce options.
18 years supporting the Cold Chain, Labourforce talks Flexible workforce options.
During the 2025 RWTA Conference & Exhibition, Fleming Hansen took the opportunity to share insights about Labourforce’s impressive 18 years of dedicated support to the Cold Chain industry, highlighting their commitment to providing flexible workforce solutions that adapt to the evolving needs of the sector.
The hidden impact of safety footwear on your workforce
The Badger Team recently hosted a webinar with podiatrist and biomechanics expert Talysha Reeve that revealed how poor safety footwear design and fit quietly drives lower-limb injuries, absenteeism and productivity decline in warehousing and logistics.
The Badger Team recently hosted a webinar with podiatrist and biomechanics expert Talysha Reeve that revealed how poor safety footwear design and fit quietly drives lower-limb injuries, absenteeism and productivity decline in warehousing and logistics.
Check out the recording today - this is practical, actionable insight for any safety-conscious operations team.
For more information please contact:
Dwayne Devenish
Sales Director
1300 305 275
+61 481 906 437
Adelaide Chain of Responsibility Event
We were delighted to get together in Adelaide last week with our Member Expert, Chris Catchpole to discuss the Chain of Responsibility with Adelaide members.
We were delighted to get together in Adelaide last week with our Member Expert, Chris Catchpole to discuss the Chain of Responsibility with Adelaide members.
Did you know, we have online resources for you as well, check this out https://rwta-membership.com.au/Chain-of-Responsibility
HVNL Reform Open For Consultation until 1st DEC 25
As part of the HVNL reform, heavy vehicle accreditation is transitioning from a prescriptive, compliance-based approach to a risk-based system focused on safety management.
As part of the HVNL reform, heavy vehicle accreditation is transitioning from a prescriptive, compliance-based approach to a risk-based system focused on safety management.
To support this shift, the National Transport Commission (NTC) has developed key documents, including:
SMS Standard: Outlines performance outcomes for compliant safety management systems.
Schedule 1 – SMS Evidence Requirements: Details evidence expectations and supports the NHVR’s assessment process.
Standard for Alternative Compliance Hours: Establishes a framework for alternative fatigue compliance and the use of the Risk Classification System.
Ministerial Guidelines for Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (Ministerial Guidelines): Directs the NHVR’s accreditation decisions.
Complementing these, the NHVR has developed the National Audit Standard (NAS) to provide a consistent, impartial audit framework for SMS and ACA requirements.
The draft NAS, along with the Ministerial Guidelines and SMS Standard, is now open for public consultation until Monday, 1 December.
This is a critical opportunity for operators and industry stakeholders to provide feedback and help ensure the framework is clear, practical, and supports consistent, risk-based auditing that strengthens safety and compliance outcomes.
We invite you to:
Review the standards and guidelines
Share your feedback to help shape a safer, more efficient accreditation system.
You can find the consultation package and share your feedback through the NTC’s project webpage.
Your input is vital to shaping the future of heavy vehicle accreditation.
Keep It Cool Consulting - Building a Smarter, Stronger Cold Chain
In this edition of the Chilled-Out Chronicles, we chat with Adam Wade, founder of Keep It Cool Consulting and author of Cold Logic — to explore how practical know-how and smarter systems are transforming the Australian cold chain.
In this edition of the Chilled-Out Chronicles, we chat with Adam Wade, founder of Keep It Cool Consulting and author of Cold Logic — to explore how practical know-how and smarter systems are transforming the Australian cold chain. With nearly a decade of hands-on experience, Adam has helped operators bridge the gap between compliance and performance through training, benchmarking, and real-world problem solving. His mission? To build a cold chain that’s not just compliant, but connected, transparent, and ready for the future. Read more below and don’t miss the video!
Keep It Cool Consulting Pty Ltd, founded by cold chain specialist Adam Wade, helps refrigerated transport and warehouse operators improve temperature control, compliance, and food quality across the supply chain.
Adam is also the author of Cold Logic – Building Knowledge, Performance and Compliance in the Australian Cold Chain, a practical reference that explores how smarter processes, training, equipment, and technology can build a stronger, more resilient cold chain.
Buy the book here: https://buy.stripe.com/4gM7sN6bO8cq1VM5qw6Zy01
Contact:
Adam Wade
Phone +61 416082092
Time To Grow Your Team
Spring is a season of growth and the perfect time to strengthen your workforce. As demand builds across Australia, the competition for skilled staff is heating up. By planning ahead now, you'll have the right people in place when you need them most.
Meet Skatco: Engineering Smarter Doors for the Cold Chain
In this episode of The Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne speaks with New member, Adam Shannon of Skatco — innovators in insulated and high-speed doors for refrigerated warehouses.
In this episode of The Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne speaks with New member, Adam Shannon of Skatco — innovators in insulated and high-speed doors for refrigerated warehouses. Discover how Skatco tailors every solution to the unique needs of the cold chain industry. Adam shares what’s next for the company as they look to the future of smarter, more efficient cold storage design.
Sustainability in Action, New Member Mansfield Advisory
Curious about how sustainability and smart construction intersect?
In this episode of RWTA's Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne speaks with new member, Jeremy Mansfield about how Mansfield Advisory is shaping greener, more efficient outcomes for the future of construction in the cold chain.
Curious about how sustainability and smart construction intersect?
In this episode of RWTA’s Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne speaks with new member, Jeremy Mansfield about how Mansfield Advisory is shaping greener, more efficient outcomes for the future of construction in the cold chain.
AI Enters the Freezer: The Smart Tech Transforming Cold Chain Logistics
AI is quietly revolutionising cold-chain logistics — from placing deli meat at the front of freezers to using digital twins and intelligent agents to simulate warehouse operations in real time
AI is quietly revolutionising cold-chain logistics — from placing deli meat at the front of freezers to using digital twins and intelligent agents to simulate warehouse operations in real time.
Lineage and Americold are deploying computer-vision and predictive models to reduce travel distances, while temperature excursions become AI-alerted events.
But challenges remain — especially when much of the industry still operates via spreadsheets.
In Memory of RWTA Life Member, Ross Bell.
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ross Bell on the 9thof September, 2025.
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ross Bell on the 9thof September, 2025.
Ross was a long-time contributor to the RWTA in past years and an esteemed RWTA Life Member.
Ross brought a wealth of experience to the Cold Chain industry, joining Frigmobile Pty Ltd in 1981 after a distinguished accounting career with Namco, Royal Doulton, and Sony Corporation.
Rising to Chief Executive in 1984, Ross’s leadership and vision shaped the industry’s growth through a period of significant transformation.
Serving as RWTA President and Chairman from 1993 to 1999, Ross was elected a Life Member in 1997.
His contributions and legacy will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.
NSW Drinks After Work- the last RWTA Sydney Function for 2025!
It was an excellent opportunity for the RWTA Sydney Contingent of the Cold Chain Crowd to meet for some great food and a few, after work drinks prior to the end of year getting too hectic!
It was an excellent opportunity for the RWTA Sydney Contingent of the Cold Chain Crowd to meet for some great food and a few, after work drinks prior to the end of year getting too hectic!
Already planning for next year to host some great get togethers, but this night was to celebrate the end of a great year and get concentrated for Christmas!
Empowering Your Workforce: Training and Research That Keep the Cold Chain Moving
The Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) is the non-profit education, research, and international development partner of the GCCA.
The Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) is the non-profit education, research, and international development partner of the GCCA.
They deliver comprehensive programs for refrigerated warehouse and distribution personnel, publish technical manuals on refrigeration science, cold storage, freezing, energy efficiency, and facility management.
Through their training programs, research, and project-based development work, organisations can strengthen their operational capability, enhance compliance, and adopt best practice standards across the cold chain.
QLD Construction Nearing Completion: CityPort Coldstores, 347 Lytton Road, Morningside
CityPort Coldstores represents the largest speculative cold storage development to ever be offered within Queensland. The facility can be occupied by a large single occupier, looking to secure the whole facility or three subdivided tenancies from 6,200sqm*.
CityPort Coldstores represents the largest speculative cold storage development to ever be offered within Queensland. The facility can be occupied by a large single occupier, looking to secure the whole facility or three subdivided tenancies from 6,200sqm*.
Key highlights include:
■ Best price per pallet in Southeast Queensland for maximised margins
■ Scalable storage offered for seasonal or long-term demand
■ Internal heights of 11.5m* supports high-density storage, accommodating up to 7 pallets
■ Advanced temperature-controlled environments with 50% freezer and 50% chiller
■ 6m* wide awnings for all weather loading and unloading
■ 29 dock levellers spread across three tenancies with 15m* deep ante rooms
■ TradeCoast location with unparalleled connectivity to Port of Brisbane, Brisbane Airport, Gateway Motorway and the CBD
■ Practical completion due in December 2025
Benjamin and Benjamin Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) October Update
The RWTA are working in conjunction with Benjamin and BenjaminInsurance Group Pty Ltd to create a Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) for the financial benefit for members of the RWTA.
Background
If you are new to this conversation, the RWTA are working in conjunction with Benjamin and Benjamin Insurance Group Pty Ltd to create a Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF) for the financial benefit for members of the RWTA.
What does it deliver?
The DMF can issue contracts like insurance policies as an alternative to your current property and public liability insurance.
Its purpose is to lower your insurance premiums and help reduce claims that your business might otherwise incur.
Where are we at?
There are presently 18 cold storage businesses with more than 30 sites across Australia & NZ involved in progressing this presently.
Physical reviews have just been completed across Australia and NZ.
Next stages
1. Insurance Actuaries, Risk Managers & Insurance Lawyers will review physical reviews and other businesses documentation to provide a report on:
a. If a DMF is viable – up until now all the information supplied by these 18 businesses indicate that a DMF is viable and useful to reduce premiums for members.
b. If a DMF is viable, the correct corporate & business operational structure of the DMF.
2. Proposition of the DMF is presented to the RWTA membership for acceptance or rejection.
3. If accepted, the DMF structure will be created.
4. It is estimated that if the DMF is created, it will open for business on or before Monday February 2nd 2026.
Form more information contact: mariannek@rwta.com.au
Frozen Assets, Rising Demand – Cushman & Wakefield’s Market Insight
Australia’s cold storage sector is experiencing critical undersupply, with vacancy at just 0.6% compared to a 3% industrial average.
Australia’s cold storage sector is experiencing critical undersupply, with vacancy at just 0.6% compared to a 3% industrial average. Existing stock is around 3.1 million m², yet nearly one million more will be needed in the next decade. High build costs and sector complexity restrict new supply, while 25% of facilities risk obsolescence due to age and tenant demands for automation and sustainability. Retrofitting ambient warehouses offers a partial solution. Strong demand from e-commerce, food and pharma is driving rents up 70% in five years. Investment appetite is growing, making cold storage a high-value, resilient asset class.
Industry Discussion on the National Food Security Strategy
On Friday 5 September, over twenty industry stakeholders, including the RWTA, met to discuss the National Food Security Strategy Discussion Paper.
Industry Discussion on the National Food Security Strategy
On Friday 5 September, over twenty industry stakeholders, including the RWTA, met to discuss the National Food Security Strategy Discussion Paper. This group expanded on participants involved in developing the recently released Green Paper by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The purpose was to explore whether shared priorities could emerge to complement individual stakeholder submissions.
There was strong support for the discussion paper as a timely step toward a more resilient food system.
Attendees emphasised the need for a sharpened focus, identifying the security of critical inputs as the foundational priority for Australia’s food system. Addressing these core requirements was seen as essential to enable success across all other strategic goals.
Key areas of consensus included:
Establishing a systematic process to identify and prioritise vulnerabilities.
Recognising biosecurity as a standalone pillar of the strategy.
Formally elevating food security as a national security priority, ensuring industry insights are included in government decision-making and intelligence sharing.
Reframing the role of industry as critical infrastructure requiring strategic support rather than increasing cost-recovery models.
Strengthening regional preparedness through a place-based approach and building resilient Indo-Pacific trade links.
Stakeholders committed to supporting the development of a robust strategy, ensuring these shared priorities are reflected in submissions alongside individual perspectives.
FlowPower at the RWTA Conference & Exhibition
Take a few moments to listen to what FlowPower have in store for 2026
Gold Sponsor, Flow Power in the mix at the RWTA Conference and Exhibition, take a few moments to listen to what they have in store for 2026 to save you dollars!