Each issue of Food & Drink Business we ask industry leaders about their working life. This month we talk to the CEO and founder of Openway Food Co., Andrew Loader.
1. Tell us about your current role
It’s quite different to my previous 20 years in the FMCG industry. I am founder and CEO of Openway Food Co., one of Australia’s newest food companies that is building an integrated platform of brands and assets to enable “better for you” food options to thrive.
It is a collaboration of founders working together with a mission to make it easier for Australians to find, afford, and eat healthier and more sustainable products.
With products and brands that cover breakfast to healthy snacking and lifestyle powders, we are about Australian manufacturing and jobs, investing in stronger capabilities locally that support innovation and growth.
2. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Surviving the first 12 months! The landscape we started in has changed dramatically, navigating Covid lockdowns, supply chain chaos, natural disasters, and now significant inflation. Starting something new under those conditions added a higher degree of difficulty than any of us anticipated. That said, we are proud of the steps we have taken so far to build our new business model, create our values and also land some great innovation.
The exciting part of what we are doing is the really strong global demand for Australian made products. We have just started in the US with two of our brands, achieving some great customer ranging.
3. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn?
Having been involved in many different business cycles, models,and markets, at times Ihave made the mistake of beingoverly optimistic and thinking that good people will solve anything.
While I believe in people first, I have learnt through many experiences when it is time for leadership to step in and help change the direction or course of events with clear and faster decisions.
Above that however, I have learnt the power of regular, clear, and concise communications. This builds a stronger culture and connection to employees on all levels of the business, and means we can celebrate our progress, recognise our efforts, and even in the tougher times be energised knowing we are all in it together.
4. What would you tell your 25-year-old self?
Aim higher and follow your intuition. It is easy when you are younger to flow along and follow the direction or path that is being laid out before you, but if you feel there is more than can be done, don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.
5. What is one goal you still want to achieve?
I find it hard to filter it down to just one goal because there are more and more opportunities for good business to also do good as the world around us evolves faster than ever.
I would say I would be very proud of having a portfolio of products that is driving towards carbon neutral or carbon positive over time. One of the key passion points for Openway Food Co. is to forge partnerships with great farmers using organic or regenerative practices to provide the best ingredients.
We want to leverage and collaborate with the best minds on the packaging sustainability challenge that we all face in thisindustry.
And on a supply chain front, looking at how to best minimise the impact of distance, both domestically and from the rest of the world, through investing in reducing shipping miles and carbon footprint with options like hydrogen shipping.
I would love to be part of collaboration between industry participants that realise this is not a competition or winning the IP game, but something that we should partner on more openly for the greater good.
