CUB Premium Beverages has claimed the 2023 Supply Chain Management Award, marking its inaugural win since the award’s inception in 2018. The cider, spirits and RTD division of Asahi Beverages broke the two-year winning streak of Australian Vintage, who secured the title in both 2022 (in a shared win with Accolade Wines) and 2021.
The award was presented to CUB Premium Beverages in front of over 380 attendees at the 2023 Australian Drinks Awards hosted at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Thursday night.
The Supply Chain Management Award is determined by Advantage Australia’s Engagement Program. It recognises supply chain excellence in the capabilities and behaviours for managing short- and longer-term supply complexities in collaboration with retailers and wholesalers and the ability to consistently drive high-quality service outcomes and deliverables.
Specifically, it is awarded to a supplier that:
- Collaborates on forecast and demand plans
- Aligns with key supply chain metrics
- Drives supply chain efficiencies
- Delivers on time and in full
- Maintains customer service communication
Advantage Australia’s Managing Director Steve Andrews said the win was an outstanding result from CUB Premium Beverages, who has driven significant improvements across the supply chain practice area.
“Customers have acknowledged the ‘step up’ in engagement and collaboration CUB Premium Beverages has demonstrated to drive supply chain efficiencies and ensure ongoing product supply throughout a challenging period.”
Over the past few years, supply chain managers have confronted a range of unprecedented challenges, such as COVID-19 disruptions, staffing issues, timber shortages affecting pallets, rising operational costs, increased raw material expenses, energy and fuel price spikes, ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and soaring inflation.
GS1 Australia sponsors the Supply Chain Management Award in a partnership intended to drive industry standards and improve business and supply chain efficiency.
Maria Palazzolo, GS1 Chief Executive Officer, said: "As an organisation committed to supporting the Australian liquor industry to adopt the world's best practice in supply chain and data management, GS1 Australia is delighted to sponsor the 2023 Supplier Award for Supply Chain Management."
Marcel Sieira, Chief Customer Officer at GS1 presented the award to CUB Premium Beverages on the night.
Sandra Gibbs, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Asahi Beverages accepted the award on behalf of the company.
She said: “I’ve been in this game for 20 years and the last three years have been, without a doubt, the toughest in my career and most supply chain professionals’ career. So I want to say a huge thank you to the CUB team and the CUB Premium Beverages team specifically.”
CUB Premium Beverages took home a total of four awards on the night.
Alongside the Supply Chain Management Award, CUB Premium Beverages won the evening's most prestigious Supplier of the Year Award, which it shared with its sister company, Carlton & United Breweries.
Additionally, CUB Premium Beverages won two Brand Awards: Somersby continued its impressive streak by winning the Fan Favourite Award in the Cider category for the fourth consecutive year, while Vodka Cruiser clinched the Fan Favourite Award in the White RTD category, maintaining its four-year winning title as well.
The Drinks Association congratulates its Category One Member Asahi Beverages on CUB Premium Beverages winning the 2023 Supply Chain Management Award.
Advantage Australia is a Corporate Partner of the Drinks Association.
All the winners from the 2023 Australian Drinks Awards are available here:
The Drinks Association would like to extend its thanks to its generous sponsors for this year’s event.
