Lexi Webster
Maleny Dairies is a family-owned business in Queensland, Australia, that has been in operation for over 20 years. The company has traditionally paid its suppliers more per litre for their milk and has invested in upgrading its factory to improve efficiency and increase milk processing capacity. Despite its local roots and support for the government's 'Buy Queensland' procurement policy, Maleny Dairies lost a government tender to supply fresh milk and dairy products to major hospitals in the state, with the contract being awarded to two multi-national dairy processors. This decision sparked a community backlash and boosted sales for Maleny Dairies as consumers increasingly seek to support local businesses and buy local products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Family-owned |
| Location | Queensland, Australia |
| Owners | Ross and Sally Hopper |
| Suppliers | 11 local dairies |
| Products | Milk and cheese |
| Awards | Multi-award-winning |
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What You'll Learn
Maleny Dairies is a family-owned business
The Hopper family's involvement in the dairy industry spans generations, with Ross Hopper's brother and his wife owning one of the 11 local dairies that supply milk to Maleny Dairies. The business has invested millions in upgrading its factory to improve efficiency and increase milk processing capacity. They have also traditionally paid their suppliers a higher rate per litre for their milk, even increasing prices during droughts without raising retail milk prices.
The family-owned business faced a setback when they lost a government tender to international companies, including multi-national dairy processors. Despite this, Maleny Dairies has experienced a boost in sales due to community support and backlash against the tender decision. The business has received an outpouring of support, with many consumers consciously choosing to buy local and support Australian-owned businesses.
Maleny Dairies is committed to supporting local producers and suppliers, and this commitment extends beyond their immediate business practices. They actively employ locals and offer school-based traineeships in various areas, including food processing, cafe operations, and farm work. The business also supported the Queensland Government's 'Buy Queensland' procurement policy and has been an advocate for rewriting the story of dairy in South-East Queensland.
The Hopper family's passion for dairy and their strong roots in the community have made Maleny Dairies a beloved and respected Australian-owned business. Their dedication to quality and local support has paid off, with their award-winning milk now available on tap at Harris Farm Markets in Brisbane, a testament to their hard work and the support of their loyal customers.
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Queensland Government's 'Buy Queensland' tender policy
The Queensland Government has a centralised Supplier Portal where businesses can register to find Queensland and local government tenders in one place. The platform, VendorPanel Marketplace, allows suppliers to register and select their supply categories, after which they will receive notifications about tender opportunities. Buyers from Queensland and local governments, government-owned corporations, not-for-profit organisations, and universities use the platform.
The Queensland Government has also partnered with Local Buy, the peak procurement body of the Local Government Association of Queensland, to simplify how businesses interact with the government. This joint venture is the first of its kind in Australia.
To register as a supplier on the VendorPanel Marketplace, businesses must go to vendorpanel.com/au/marketplace and use the search bar to find the most appropriate supply list for their business. Basic information must be filled out, and categories selected for the business profile, which is visible to buyers.
The Queensland government tender process has specific requirements that must be satisfied to ensure good value, a fair price, and justifiable expenditure of public funds. As part of the Queensland Procurement Policy and Contract Disclosure Guidelines, agencies must publish details about successful tenderers for projects over $10,000. For contracts worth $200,000 or more, local governments must publish this information on their website and in their public office.
The Queensland Government also has an On-time Payment Policy, which guarantees that businesses will be paid within 20 calendar days.
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Maleny's milk sales boosted by community support
Queensland's Maleny Dairies has seen a boost in milk sales thanks to an outpouring of community support. The family-owned business lost a government tender to two multi-national dairy processors, leading to community backlash and increased sales for Maleny Dairies. Owners Ross and Sally Hopper have been buoyed by the public's support, with their milk flying off the shelves. The community's backing comes as a response to the Queensland Government's decision to overlook Maleny Dairies in favour of international companies for supplying fresh milk and dairy products to the state's major hospitals. This has sparked a petition asking for a review of the tender decision.
The Queensland Government's 'Buy Queensland' tender policy aims to grant contracts to companies that support local businesses. However, Maleny Dairies questioned the government's commitment to this policy, arguing that they have invested over $9 million to upgrade their factory and can process more milk. They also highlighted the decline in dairy farmers in Queensland and expressed their desire to support and work with more local farmers. The community's support for Maleny Dairies reflects a growing trend among South-East Queensland consumers to seek out local products and support their region's economy.
Maleny Dairies has a strong connection to the local community, employing locals and offering school-based traineeships. They have also traditionally paid their suppliers more per litre for their milk, even increasing prices during the drought without raising retail milk prices. This commitment to their suppliers and the region has resonated with consumers, who are increasingly conscious of the origins and ethical production of their food. The company has received widespread support, with their milk now available on tap at Harris Farm Markets in Brisbane, marking a historic first for the Sunshine Coast hinterland-based dairy.
The community's backing has been a testament to the strength of local businesses and their importance to the region. Maleny Dairies' ability to bounce back from setbacks and thrive in the face of competition demonstrates the power of community support and its impact on local economies. The increased sales for Maleny Dairies send a strong message about the value that consumers place on locally sourced and produced goods. This trend towards conscious consumption bodes well for the future of local businesses and the economic vitality of the region.
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Maleny Dairies lost a government tender to international companies
Maleny Dairies is a family-owned business that has been operating in Queensland, Australia, for many years. The company has a strong commitment to supporting local dairy farmers and has invested significantly in upgrading its factory to improve efficiency and increase milk processing capacity. Unfortunately, Maleny Dairies lost a government tender to supply fresh milk and dairy products to major hospitals in Queensland. The government instead chose to award the contract to two multi-national dairy processors, which sparked community backlash and accusations of hypocrisy from Maleny Dairies towards the Queensland Government.
The owners of Maleny Dairies, Ross and Sally Hopper, questioned the decision, arguing that their business has grown significantly over the years and supports numerous local dairies. They also highlighted the decline in the number of dairy farmers in Queensland and expressed their desire to support more farmers. The community showed overwhelming support for Maleny Dairies, with increased sales and a petition calling for a review of the tender decision.
In defence of the decision, the Queensland Health Minister, Steven Miles, stated that the priority was to grant contracts to companies that employ and support local workers and suppliers. He explained that the chosen company, Pauls, employs more people in the Brisbane region and is supplied by more Queensland farms than any other dairy processor. The Minister also mentioned that Maleny Dairies could not supply the required volume or meet all the dietary requirements for the contract.
Despite the setback, Maleny Dairies has continued to thrive and received overwhelming community support. Their milk is in high demand, and they have made history by being the first to offer milk on tap at Harris Farm Markets in Brisbane. The company's dedication to supporting local farmers and its commitment to quality have resonated with consumers, who increasingly value locally sourced and sustainably produced food.
Although losing the government tender was a disappointment, Maleny Dairies has demonstrated resilience and a strong connection with the community. Their focus on local produce and support for Queensland dairy farmers has likely contributed to their ongoing success and popularity in the region.
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Maleny Dairies supplies milk from 11 farms
Maleny Dairies is a family-owned business that has been supplying milk from 11 farms, including the home farm owned by Ross Hopper's brother and his wife. The company has been supported by the government at marketing events and has invested millions in upgrading its factory to improve efficiency and increase its milk processing capacity. Maleny Dairies has also traditionally paid its suppliers more per litre for their milk, even increasing prices to support dairy farmers struggling with drought, without raising retail milk prices.
The company's owners, Ross and Sally Hopper, have been buoyed by the public's support after losing a government tender to international companies. The Queensland Government chose two multi-national dairy processors to supply fresh milk and dairy products to some of the state's major hospitals. This decision sparked a community backlash and boosted Maleny Dairies' milk sales, with many consumers increasingly inspired to connect with where their food comes from and support local businesses.
Maleny Dairies has received an outpouring of community support, with many consumers choosing to buy their milk. This has allowed the company to expand and take on more farmers, with Ross Hopper stating that they have more farmers wanting to supply them. Maleny Dairies has also been able to supply milk to Harris Farm Markets in Brisbane, making history as the first time milk from Queensland has been available on tap in the city.
The company's commitment to its suppliers and the local community has been evident, with Maleny Dairies employing locally and offering school-based traineeships in food processing, cafe operations, and on their farms. They have also supported the government's 'Buy Queensland' procurement policy, which aims to grant contracts to companies that support and employ locals. Maleny Dairies' dedication to its farmers and the region has resonated with consumers, who are increasingly conscious of the origins and ethical production of their food.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Maleny Dairies is Australian-owned. It is a family-owned business run by Ross and Sally Hopper.
Maleny milk is sourced from local dairies in Queensland, Australia. The company has traditionally paid its suppliers more per litre for their milk and is known for its support of local dairy farmers.
Maleny Dairies has had a tense relationship with the Queensland Government after losing a government tender to international companies in 2020. The government's 'Buy Queensland' tender policy aims to grant contracts to companies that support local businesses, but Maleny Dairies accused the government of hypocrisy for overlooking them in the tender decision.
