The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards is arguably the peak award in Queensland for any business that exports their product or service. To be a finalist, let alone a winner, is a huge honour that sets the business apart as a genuine leader in their field.
King River made the finalist cut in three categories for 2024 – Emerging Exporter, Agribusiness and Regional Exporter. And we’re thrilled to say we won the Regional Exporter category!
That’s why the whole team at King River is genuinely delighted to have won the Queensland Regional Exporter Award for 2024. It shows that we’re making a difference in the beef export industry, that we have a strong track record of growth and achievement, and that we use innovation, genuine family values and excellent business ethics to achieve our goals.
There are a few things that set King River apart – and today, we’re taking you behind the curtain to see what made the judges look closely at our entry.
King River decided to export our world-class beef as part of a vertically-integrated supply chain. What does that mean?
We build long-term partner and customer relationships, now on three continents and in more than 30 countries, delivering value for money by producing bespoke Wagyu – exactly what our diverse, exacting customer base demands.
To minimise risk for our network and provide long term sustainability, our business model goes against industry norms, but reduces dependency on the success or failure of multiple junctures in the value chain. In a fairly narrow and changeable industry the way we operate delivers certainty and reliability to our trusted partners and valued customers.
We fulfil and exceed our international customers’ precise needs by applying strong cultural sensitivity, extremely responsive service and entrepreneurial innovation to deliver customised Wagyu products not commonly known in Australia. As a result, we can maximise versatility of every beef carcass, adding profitability and sustainability.
How have we grown the King River brand in the past two years?
We capitalised on our profound comprehension of the potential value of our quality Wagyu in a niche, but widespread global market. We combined our unique supply model with judicial, personalised marketing, efficient, reliable logistics and innovative collaborations to extract maximum ROI, returning prosperity back along the supply chain.
Two years from that first export, we now service 30+ countries globally through KR’s partners and distributor network.
We attribute success to solid adherence to simple principles, family values and uncompromising ethical practices, summarised as: 1) a singular focus on our strengths, 2) transparency builds trust, and 3) your success is our success.
Focusing on the personal – how do we put that into practice?
Enthusiastically embracing and welcoming diversity among our staff and customers is second nature in everything we do. Largely, it’s those cultural differences that add great richness and relevance to our export business.
The celebration of cultures where we export KR Wagyu is an intrinsic contributor to the success of our business model. It’s the multiple ways that societies prepare, cook and enjoy our products that is a major reason for the success of the bespoke Wagyu products we have introduced to various markets.
We truly enjoy hosting customers on-farm to experience the KR supply chain. When customers need help with in-country promotions, we invest in marketing material, signage, co-branding and fresh, professional presentation.
What’s ahead in the future?
To ensure satisfaction and performance at the consumer level, we maintain close, responsive feedback loops using direct communication with our partners, distributors and customer network.
By maintaining KR’s impeccable provenance and reputational value from conception to consumption, we plan for profitable repeat business, customer loyalty, quality referrals, and a growing international reputation for consistent, superior-quality Wagyu beef.
As Managing Director, Jim Rich says, “ We’re investing not only for our children, but for our children’s children”.”
King River Director Harry Kemp said, after thanking and congratulating all the people across Queensland who work so hard on the ground, “I’m truly humbled by the effort of all involved. It’s so great to see an Ag business compete against other industries and win. It’s a win for Agriculture and Wagyu, of course. A fantastic result and a wonderful team and business to be a part of into the future.”
