Step inside the world of a local family business with Meet the Owner. These exclusive events offer a rare behind-the-scenes tour and the chance to hear directly from the family behind the business. Learn their story, gain valuable insights, and connect with like-minded family business peers in an inspiring, relaxed setting.
Meet the Owner invites you to experience the inner workings of a family business. From touring diverse premises—be it a factory, winery, or warehouse—to engaging in an open Q&A session, this event offers a unique glimpse into the experiences of a family business. Discover the rich history, challenges, and triumphs of the host family as they share insights tailored to help other family businesses succeed. After the tour, enjoy networking with peers in the family business sector. These events foster a supportive, collaborative community, filled with learning, storytelling, and the camaraderie that defines FBA events.
Why Attend?
- Gain exclusive insights into the operations of a successful family business.
- Learn first-hand from the family behind the business about their opportunities and challenges.
- Expand your network within the FBA community and enjoy a relaxed environment for learning, sharing, and connecting.
- Find inspiration and practical ideas for your own business.
Meet the Owner of Cochrane’s Transport
Independent and locally owned, Cochrane's Transport is SA's leading express parcel and transport service provider.
Cochrane’s Transport celebrates their 50th birthday this year and been delivering across Adelaide and Regional SA plus Mildura and Broken Hill for all that time. They also provide cross-docking delivery solutions, warehousing logistics and express distribution services. Their customers include many iconic state and national businesses and they provide 'last mile delivery' in South Australia for most of Australia's national transport companies. They have our own transport depots and agent network servicing every town in metropolitan and regional SA - 364 days a year.
History
In 1974, Peter Cochrane and his wife, Christine, purchased two trucks to deliver the Australian Women's Weekly. Based in their garage in suburban Adelaide, the couple slowly built the business by adding other magazines titles and newspapers to their delivery runs. Their delivery network also grew to include regional areas, with a focus on express services to cater for the time-sensitive nature of newspapers and other print media.
The need for greater warehousing capacity saw the business move in 1979 to rented premises on South Road at Richmond. Staff were gradually brought on board to help with the packing of magazines, unloading inbound trucks and loading outbound drivers. Continued growth and the addition of more warehousing customers including those in the whitegoods, hardware and food and beverage industries saw the business move to larger premises twice more before purchasing its own warehouse in Jervois Street, Torrensville in 1986.
The business grew significantly at its new site, with two new warehouses constructed on the premises over the next five years. An onsite mechanical workshop was also added along with fleet support vehicles to ensure minimal downtime and to support the express on-road operations.
In 2008, regional transport business Hutchcorp was acquired, a move that strengthened Riverland and South East operations. Regional parcel business, Northern Kope Parcel Express, was acquired in 2011, and fully integrated and branded into Cochrane's Transport in 2015, making Cochrane's the leading supplier of express parcel and transport services in regional South Australia.
November 2017 saw the acquisition of Whyalla-based Scholz Transport Services, (STS), strengthening the northern network with operations throughout the Iron Triangle, Eyre Peninsula, and Upper North of South Australia. STS was originally established in 1997 by Dave and Eddie Scholz, providing overnight general and express freight services along with heavy haulage capability for their region. STS was fully integrated and branded into Cochrane’s Transport in 2020.
2020 also saw the completion of and the move to Cochrane Transport’s new, purpose-built 37,000 sqm facility at Bedford Street, Gillman. The new location gives closer proximity to highest volume customers and provides 30% more storage capacity plus a drive-through truck wash, onsite mechanical workshop, gas and diesel fuel supply, axle weigh bridge and adjustable loading dock.
Peter Cochrane, now in his 70s, continues to be very hands-on, working alongside his staff daily ensuring that his high standards and strong work ethic are maintained. Daughters, Jodie and Rebecca, also work in the business with a focus on innovation and investment to ensure its continued growth and success for future generations.
Don’t Miss Out!
Places are strictly limited, so book your ticket today! Learn more about their family business story and gain insights that could benefit your own family business. We hope to see you there!
Please contact the FBA Office on 1800 249 357 if you have any questions or require assistance with your registration.
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