When Kegstar, a global leader in keg pooling, secured a major partnership with one of the largest brewers in Australia, it marked a significant milestone in their growth. To meet the high-volume demands of such a prestigious client while maintaining the agility of their local team, Kegstar needed a logistics partner that could move fast. They turned to Ofload. The collaboration successfully streamlined complex freight requirements, protected margins through competitive benchmarking, and ensured their customer received the reliable service they are known for.
“We would strongly recommend Ofload. Their consistency and competitive pricing are important, but the real value comes from the collaborative partnership. It allows us to stay focused on our customers, knowing our transport requirements are well supported” — Thomas Stuerzer, Operations Manager ANZ, Kegstar.
Kegstar is a sustainability engine for the beverage industry. Operating a "asset pooling" model, they own and manage a massive fleet of high-quality steel kegs. They collect empty kegs from venues, inspect and then redeliver them fit for purpose. This circular model eliminates the need for breweries to manage reverse logistics, reducing waste and capital expenditure. It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with partners who value efficiency.
The driving force behind Kegstar’s recent logistics evolution was signing a major customer in the beverage industry. Partnering with a brand of this calibre brought exciting new volumes and opportunities, but also required precise execution.
The client demanded a robust supply chain capable of moving significant stock interstate, ensuring maximum efficiency per shipment/ Supporting a customer of this size meant Kegstar’s logistics had to be flawless, scalable, and cost-effective from day one.
Thomas Stuerzer, Kegstar’s Operations Manager for ANZ, faced a distinct challenge: managing these enterprise-level volumes with a lean, agile team.
Ofload stepped in to provide the digital infrastructure and operational support Kegstar needed:
1. Re-engineering for Reliability When high-cube trailers proved scarce, Ofload worked with Kegstar to re-engineer the load plan, minimising delays by trailer shortages and simplifying warehousing operations at the receiving end.
2. Benchmarking for Best Value Ofload replaced the manual "quote hunt" with a centralised portal. By benchmarking rates against the market, Ofload ensured Kegstar always received the "market match" rate. This allowed Kegstar to offer their clients competitive pricing without sacrificing their own margins.
3. A Team Extension Thomas emphasised that the partnership worked because Ofload’s team acted as an extension of his own. Direct access to allocators meant issues were resolved with a single phone call rather than endless email chains.
The partnership has delivered measurable wins:
For a high-volume business like Kegstar, Ofload has proven to be an indispensable partner in ensuring they are meeting the needs of their clients.