Elite Wine Logistics: Wine Transporter for the Nation

Starting operations in 1995 with just two drivers and two small vans, Elite Wine Logistics is today one of the major wine transporters in the country. Its keen attention to detail and its record of on-time deliveries has made it the first choice of customers looking for a reliable and cost-effective transportation agency.

Elite Wine Logistics was launched by John Malfitana and Shlomi Levin, the company’s two founder directors. Each of them has over two decades of experience in various fields, including the wine industry, FMCG and logistics. This knowledge has given them the means to provide Australian wineries and wine merchants a solution for their entire range of logistic needs.

Elite Wine Logistics provides a trustworthy and adaptable supply chain to wine merchants and other large customers. Their professional and proactive attitude has earned them a leadership position in the field of wine transportation.

The company’s approach to business has been praised by many of its customers. What they especially appreciate is the deep understanding that Elite Wine Logistics has of their business and their specific requirements. The company has built a name for itself for going out of the way to keep its customers happy and for making timely deliveries regardless of the circumstances.

One of Elite Wine Logistics customers, Steve Lovelock, General Manager of Inglewood Wine Merchants says, “For the last 10 years, Elite has delivered my wine wherever and whenever I needed it.”

Elite Wine Logistics’ forte lies in finding solutions for the most complex problems that face its customers. It has honed its skills in transportation and warehousing for the wine industry. Elite is able to create individually-tailored solutions to meet practically any requirement that a client may raise.

Currently, Elite Wine Logistics distributes over one and a half million wine cases every year. Its clientele includes more than 60 leading Australian and international wineries and wine merchants. On their behalf, deliveries are made to about 10,000 retail and hospitality industry customers across the country.

In its two-decade long experience, Elite Wine Logistics has developed highly stable and robust systems and procedures that enable it to make deliveries in a timely and competent manner. The company’s sturdy logistics chain is comprised of tested and tried components and over the years the company had developed the ability to meet its commitments in a most dependable manner.

The company has established a state-of-the-art facility in Chullora, New South Wales. It has also acquired a new warehouse in Darra, Queensland and one in Altona North, Victoria. This infrastructure gives Elite Wine Logistics the ability to provide the highest level of service to its clients.

In the recent past, many of Elite Wine Logistics’ clients have started selling wine on the internet. To cater to this requirement the company has set up a Specialised Courier Services Division to support deliveries to the home and corporate markets. This division also provides the facility of specially timed and urgent deliveries.

Providing the entire range of transportation and warehousing facilities, Elite is well placed to develop complete business solutions for its clients’ logistic requirements. Its emphasis on service and on implementing low-cost solutions that are highly effective have resulted in providing its customers’ with the most appropriate outcomes for their business needs.

Transport facilities

Elite provides next day services to NSW, ACT, Metro Victoria and Metro Queensland. The company’s freight rates are very competitive and it ensures that the consignment is delivered to its destination in the same condition as it was when it was picked up.

The company’s transportation facilities include dedicated vans and trucks that are specially designed to provide the fastest possible delivery times. Elite has developed a network of couriers that enable it to meet its delivery schedule with absolute precision.

Elite’s Special Timed Service Deliveries are highly popular with its customers. These are available for NSW, ACT, Metro Victoria and Metro Queensland. Clients opting for this service can have their consignment dropped off at a pre-specified location at the exact time at which they require it.

VIP Deliveries is another option available from Elite. A dedicated courier service is used in NSW, ACT, Metro Victoria and Metro Queensland for clients who prefer this mode of delivery.

To meet the growing demand for deliveries to be made for a specific function, Elite has started a door to door courier service. If a wine merchant requires a consignment to be delivered at a specific time to a function venue, Elite can accommodate the request.

Storage

Elite provides storage solutions to meet every need of its clients. The company’s warehouses are geared to cater to clients who need storage at ambient temperatures as well as those who need climate controlled facilities.

Wineries and wine merchants benefit greatly from Elite’s secure warehousing facilities that ensure that the quality of the wine does not deteriorate with storage.

The company has devised a proprietary customer service package, EliteTracker, a Warehouse and Transport Management System designed specifically for the wine industry.

Elite also uses EzySuite, which is an in-house package providing integrated CRM, document management and business intelligence to deliver seamless interstate and intrastate support for the monitoring of consignments.

This high-end software package enables customers to log into Elite’s system and get updates on each bottle of its stock on a real-time basis. The fully integrated electronic facility provided by EliteTracker is extensively used by clients and is one of the chief reasons that they utilise the services of Elite Wine Logistics.

EliteTracker has put Elite Wine Logistics firmly in the lead in providing comprehensive warehousing and transportation services to the wine industry. When any stock is received, it is entered into the computerised system. From this moment on customers can log in and view details in a variety of standard formats.

The availability of instant access to data gives customers the ability to meet their commitments and provides them the details needed to run their businesses efficiently and in a profitable manner.

Many customers have reported that with Elite Wine Logistics handling their transportation and warehousing needs, they are able to devote more time to their core business activities. As a result, customers gain a business advantage and are in a position to enhance sales volumes and profits.

The task of transportation and warehousing is very ably handled by Elite. Customers can view a number of reports that give them all the information they require. In fact, Elite Wine Logistics acts as an extended arm of the customer’s business.

The range of reports that are available includes receipt reports, stock on hand reports, return reports, delivery reports and ageing stock reports. Customers can also access details about stock rotation and labelling of stocks. As the software package is extremely versatile, clients can ask for reports to be configured in any manner they require.

Elite Wine Logistics also provides specialised container unloading services. The company enjoys the unique advantage of having its New South Wales warehouse located less than a kilometre away from the Intermodal Logistics Centre. This proximity allows customers to make substantial savings on freight.

Elite also utilises specially designed equipment such as side loader docks and container forklifts to provide fast and safe services to its clients.

The company also provides labelling facilities to its customers. Its expertise includes SSCC labels and EAN barcode labels. Elite can also provide labelling facilities for the buyer’s brand.

Recent expansion

Elite Wine Logistics recently moved to larger and more modern premises. This move was necessitated by the growing demand for its services which rendered the earlier facilities inadequate.

The new head office and warehouse at Waterloo Road, Chullora, NSW, is a state of the art facility that has the capacity to accommodate the current level of operations with ease and is also capable of allowing significant expansion.

The move to the new premises has resulted in business volumes for Elite picking up sharply. At this location, Elite has the capacity to store over 10,000 pallet positions and bulk wine holdings. The warehouse incorporates the latest and most modern technologies and is equipped with specialised insulation to provide protection to the stored consignments.

As the shift to new premises allowed Elite to design the warehouse to provide the best possible features, the new storage facilities have been upgraded in a number of ways. The climate control features have been enhanced and access has been provided to 7 skel-container docks and 8 on-grade docks.

The container storage yard is highly secure with 24-hour access facilities. It is located near the M4 and M5 highways, allowing for enhanced connectivity.

Elite has also expanded into Queensland and its operations there are located in Darra and are growing rapidly. Melbourne is now operational in Altona North with a capacity of 4000 pallets and Climate Control facilities completing the coverage of the Eastern Seaboard.

Growth Prospects

With over two decades of experience in the field of wine logistics, Elite is ideally positioned to further expand and grow its business. As it enhances its geographical reach, its reputation for providing the highest level of service will allow it to acquire more customers.