Multinational companies have shunned a Busselton based business by shipping frozen bags of Ice from Perth and Queensland to the region.
Busselton Ice Supply were stocking their frozen bags of ice to stores in the region when they were told their service was no longer required because the product would now be shipped from Perth.
Busselton Ice Supply owner Darren Maisey said after the franchises were bought back by a multinational company they were told the decision was based on “corporate supply chain streamlining.”
Mr Maisey said the company had been less than helpful despite being told there were no complaints about their product, service or price which he was supplying 50 cents a bag cheaper.
“I try to speak to people and educate them that we are a local producer, and they really get on board and want to support local business,” he said.
“Generally speaking, when people pick up a bag of ice – it is a bag of ice as far as they are concerned - but in Busselton we have ice being brought down some 250 kilometres away.
“I went into another store and looked in their freezer, the ice comes from Queensland.
“We are here making it, this is ridiculous they should be looking at regional based suppliers, we just want to see our product in local stores.”
Co-owner Damian O’Shea said they would not mind losing the business if they were being out priced, but their bags of ice were priced much better.
“We are coming into the summer school holidays which is the busiest time of year and the roads are crazy, it is just another couple of trucks on the road coming down this way,” he said.
“You cannot justify bringing a truck down from Geraldton to deliver ice here, never-mind Queensland.
“When they sell out they run out, it happens all the time, you rock up to the stores and there are signs, ‘out of ice.’”
A Caltex spokesperson said they used two major suppliers of ice in WA which were both WA based and had the capacity to supply to 112 stores.
“We attempt to use local suppliers for our WA operations where possible and currently have long-term relationships with a number of local organisations, including for the supply of other essentials such as gas, bakery and food products.”
Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Jodie Richards said it was a well-documented fact that buying local has long term repercussions for the entire community.
Ms Richards said supporting local businesses created employment, opportunities for growth, social services and community experiences.
She said the BCCI was working with the City of Busselton to review their local procurement policy and implement a software package so local businesses could register and quote for products and services purchased by the city.
Ms Richards said the BCCI were happy to work with any business who feels there was opportunity for them to supply local products or services that were currently being supplied from outside of this area.
“The BCCI are absolutely committed to highlighting the necessity of buying local for the benefit of not just individual businesses, but the entire economy of this region,” she said.
Vasse MLA and shadow minister for small business Libby Mettam said it was disappointing to hear a local business was not supporting a local product such as Busselton Ice in favour of ice produced several thousand kilometres away.
“While a business has every right to make a commercial decision on what products they choose to sell in their business, locals similarly have the right to choose businesses and products that favour local products and jobs,” she said.
