Regan Brown - ".. mathematics and science skills are required to fine-tune the automation processes."

Regan Brown runs a 3rd generation family business in the transport and logistics industry across Australia and New Zealand, which is more than 50 years old. Regan and his sister were delivered daily to their respective schools in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs by courier van.  After school, he did his homework at the company office which was a transport depot.

As such, he was exposed to the transport and logistics business from an early age.  As part of this, he met a lot of warehouse managers and truck drivers.  He grew to love their personalities and upbeat approach to life.

Regan is now head of the family business, Labourforce Group, a staffing business serving the supply chain, transport and logistics staff.  E-commerce and online customers are now an increasing component of this market.

Food markets, FMCG, automotive, transport and logistics companies and retailers are all clients of the Labourforce Group. 

The pandemic has heightened everyone’s perspective on the supply chain.  The community has a heightened interest in knowing how their food and goods are sourced. 

Regan is passionate about the real people who work in the transport industry.  The people aren’t big talkers. 

One of the big trends in the industry are the continued growth of e-commerce.  There is a lot of investment and retraining in this space. 

Customers are demanding faster service and delivery to their homes. 

Sorting equipment and robotics are increasingly used, which means the skills are required to service the new technology.

The skills that are in demand in the supply chain are technical skills that have been used in manufacturing robotics and automation systems.

Students are being recruited out of the STEM areas because mathematics and science skills are required to fine-tune the automation processes. 

At the end of the automated pick and pack process, a human is required to check that the order is accurate. 

For young people: where is your education level at and what is your appetite for doing some manual work.  In the supply chain, there is minimal opportunity to go into the industry in an office role without tertiary qualifications.