Building on solid foundations

While progress was initially slow, recent months have proven that our strategic approach to market entry is paying dividends. Rather than competing for every job available, Oak Tree Australia deliberately focused on logistics companies handling consistent workloads of 10 to 30 containers weekly. This allows the team to establish permanent crews at client sites and match local staff to specific operations, creating more sustainable employment pathways. 

The time it has taken to understand the market and build trust with the right clients has been worth it,” Grant explains. “We wanted to avoid sending people all over Brisbane for sporadic work. By establishing ourselves with solid mid-sized companies, we’ve created the foundations for real career progression for our team members.” 

The strategy has attracted significant attention. One major client recently tested Oak Tree’s capabilities with a challenging assignment. When two ships’ worth of product arrived simultaneously, doubling the normal weekly volume from 20 to 43 containers, the Oak Tree Australia team rose to the challenge. The client was impressed with this responsiveness and has already recommended Oak Tree to potential customers. 

Six months in, Oak Tree Australia has 23 active casual staff members and is on track financially. Grant’s vision for the year ahead is ambitious: establishing five or more large clients processing over 100 containers weekly, whilst growing the team to more than 50 employees. 

Yet beneath the business metrics lies the heart of what makes Oak Tree a Pathway social enterprise. “True to our roots, we’ve been helping people get back into the workforce on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, whilst building a safe, encouraging and productive workplace,” Grant reflects. Several team members have returned to regular work after months of unemployment, and partnerships with local workplace agencies have helped individuals transition from benefit dependence to sustainable casual employment. 

This is particularly important for our growth and shows that our purpose has remained consistent through the expansion. Ultimately, Oak Tree remains a key source of revenue for Pathway Trust, and provides employment opportunities for those who have barriers to employment. It's awesome to see this mission continue as we gain ground with Oak Tree Australia.