World hot for beads

– Shaun Inguanzo
AUSTRALIAN Char is one local business running hot at present.
The winner of this year’s Corporate and Social Responsibility Award is responsible for the national and internationally renowned brand of barbecue fuel, Heat Beads.
The product is manufactured in the Latrobe Valley, but Australian Char’s logistical operations are carried out in Dandenong South.
The barbecue fuel is one of the most recognisable Australian brands on international and local shelves, with more than 50 per cent of Australian Char’s total sales comprising of exports.
Managing director Lee Gilmour said that the countries in love with Heat Beads the most were those in Scandanavia.
They are also popular in Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom…. and, of course, Australia.
But interestingly, the Aussie barbie is not where Australian Char receives its inspiration from.
Mr Gilmour said the company had learnt a lot about the art of barbecue from its overseas customers, who believed the cooking method was about more than burnt sausages.
That culture of care is also embedded within the company’s core values, Mr Gilmour said, with safety a priority while the Dandenong warehouse uses forklifts to pack pallets of Heat Beads into large shipping containers.
Mr Gilmour said a forklift driver at Australian Char would stop work until a passer-by had either made eye contact with, or acknowledged them, to ensure they were aware of the vehicle’s presence.
Additionally, warehouse staff and forklift drivers also stop to remind people to wear high-visibility clothing.
But aside from being a strong exporter and safe place to work, Australian Char also gives back to the community in a large way.
Last year, Mr Gilmour and staff took part in the Oxfam Walk and raised a whopping $15,000 for the charity.
Mr Gilmour said the company also aided community radio station 3RRR with its major fundraiser – not surprisingly, a sausage sizzle.
Australian Char is the winner of this year’s Corporate and Social Responsibility award and was also nominated in the categories of Export, Employment, and Service Excellence.