Remedy Drinks keeps up with demand using Toyota forklifts

Over the course of the last decade, Remedy Drinks has built its business using the help of battery-electric Toyota Material Handling forklifts to distribute its products.

Since its opening in 2012 by Sarah and Emmet Condon, Remedy Drinks has become recognised for its home-brewed kombucha and has grown from a small operation in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs to a large dual warehouse and production facility in Dandenong South. It now has an expanded product line that includes Sodaly natural soft drinks, Kick natural energy drinks, miniature energy shots and apple cider vinegar-based beverages.

Over this time, the company has also had a successful partnership with Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA), going back to its first forklift — a second-hand Toyota unit.

Today, Remedy’s fleet of TMHA equipment includes eight reach and four counterbalance Toyota forklifts, all underpinned by battery-electric powertrains that produce zero operating emissions.

Ryan Stark, Remedy Drinks warehouse manager, said the user-friendly forklifts have allowed the company to keep up with increased demand for its products.

“The warehouse and logistics team’s primary role is to ensure our product is delivered to our customers, and knowing that our equipment onsite can do that is our number-one priority,” Stark said.

“From an operational perspective, they are an easy vehicle to operate.

“They have all the bells and whistles that I think are required on a forklift particularly from a safety perspective.”

The TMHA I_Site telematics and fleet management system particularly benefits Remedy’s logistics team, helping fleets improve efficiencies relating to equipment utilisation, downtime and WHS, and allowing the company to streamline processes in the warehouse.

The forklift equipment is fitted with proximity-linked speed limiting technology, which is designed to help maximise safety for the forklift operators and surrounding pedestrians.

“All that automation, keeping it all digital and software-based is a huge thing for us,” Stark said.

Grant Owen, TMHA area sales manager, has overseen the Remedy Drinks account from the time they owned only a single second-hand unit. He has, over that time, facilitated the company’s first new purchase — a pair of Toyota RRE140 reach forklifts — and been there for the company’s expansion into larger facilities and growth including contracts with major retailers including Coles and Woolworths.

Remedy Drinks has no plans to slow down and TMHA has a wide range of products that will be able to help with any further expansion.