Speed dating set to send love to struggling hospitality sector

An industry-first speed-dating event in Brisbane next month will help support operators in the hospitality sector who might be doing it tough or looking for some support.

Cafe sector needs some love.

When the going gets tough, share the love around.

That’s the message from Brisbane distribution business Brewing Brands, which will hold an industry-first speed-dating event on November 7 to help support operators in the hospitality sector who might be doing it tough or looking for some support.

According to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), there were more than 1600 accommodation and food services insolvency appointments last financial year, 50 per cent more than the previous year and the highest number on record.

The speed dating event held at Brewing Brands’ Murarrie warehouse is aimed at bringing together all sides of the industry from cafes to suppliers.

There also will also be a barista battle and guest speakers covering topics including boosting sales and marketing and how to streamline operations and finances during a downturn.

Brewing Brands chief executive Chris Seaton says the event was born from a desire to do more to support the people behind the products that Brewing Brands distributes as well as the cafes they service. Brewing Brands is the owner of the popular Origin Tea.

Brothers Lawrence and Chris Seaton are the business owners of Origin Tea.

“As one of the largest independent distribution services in southeast Queensland, we are constantly chatting with cafes, other small business owners and suppliers, and we know they are hurting,” Seaton says. “Trade shows are a great way to drum up more business and learn more about what’s happening in the industry but they aren’t necessarily geared towards the smaller players. Budding brands and café owners don’t always have the time or money to attend, so we wanted to create something for them, that brings together all sides of the industry to get to know each other in a fun format that’s accessible to everyone.”

Mine mania

New Acland Coal has reached an employment milestone, with its 250th full-time worker starting earlier this month. The achievement comes less than two years after the Queensland Government approved stage three project of the operation near Oakey. The company says the milestone reflects the ramp up of job opportunities on site, with the full-time-permanent workforce doubling over the past 18 months. Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will include approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of Darling Downs locals. Unlike a lot of other mines in Queensland, New Acland says it does not engage fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers, with more than 90 per cent of the current workforce living within 50 kilometres of the site. It says local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1 billion over the life of the New Acland Mine stage three project.

The first train load of coal, from New Acland Coal stage three.

Coast charge

Battery maker eLumina has officially opened Australia’s first factory capable of producing both community lithium batteries and EV chargers, with the first model set to come off the production line in 2025. The new $20 million manufacturing and development centre on the Gold Coast will strengthen Australia’s energy storage sector and help meet soaring global demand for batteries, with the factory set to produce 300 batteries and EV chargers a year. eLumina’s chief executive Lisa Marsh says the factory will support 300 highly technical and sought-after jobs.