Stomping Ground Brewery is seeing strong growth, with keg and packaged beer sales up significantly compared to last year.
Founder Guy Greenstone credits rising consumer confidence and a focus on local support in Victoria for the brewery’s success.
“We are seeing more people going out and feeling a bit more confident in the economy. In general consumer sentiment seems to be lifting, which is benefiting us as a manufacturer,” he said.
This positive trend is echoed by the latest Unleashed Manufacturing Report, which highlights a 14.22 per cent increase in beverage sales revenue across Australia from June to September 2024 – well above the national average of 4.5 per cent growth for all industries.
Stomping Ground’s success aligns with broader industry gains, signalling a shift toward recovery for Australian manufacturers, especially in food and beverage sectors.
A strong focus on serving the local region and community has paid off for Stomping Ground, which has seen a strong sales pipeline in the Victoria region.
“As a business we have benefited from the continuing trend of consumers supporting local and supporting independent. We have really focused on our region of Victoria, and our market has responded by supporting us in turn. It has been a great moment for an SME brewer to build a real community around our product,” he said.
The Unleashed Report supports this optimism, showing that Australian food and beverage manufacturers are benefiting from a stronger economic climate.
The beverage sector’s 14.22 per cent revenue growth outpaces that of the food industry, which saw a 7.24 per cent increase. The data suggests businesses have strengthened their sales pipelines, streamlined operations, and are now positioned to capitalise on improving economic conditions.
Purchase orders for both food and beverage products are up as well, with beverage orders rising 14.38 per cent. This growth points to sustained demand, especially as businesses prepare for the traditionally strong summer months in the beverage industry. Additionally, beverage manufacturers have increased stock levels by 36.28 per cent, reflecting a confident outlook for the remainder of the year.
In contrast, New Zealand’s beverage industry has seen a more modest 10.05 per cent growth, lagging Australia’s robust performance. The New Zealand food sector, however, remains challenged, with a 9.36 per cent decline in sales revenue.
Despite these regional differences, the broader picture for Australian manufacturers is positive. The rise in sales revenue and purchase orders, combined with increased confidence in stock levels, points to a sector on the upswing.
Unleashed Head of Product, Jarrod Adam, said these results are a welcome relief for businesses that have been struggling in recent years.
“The last few years have been tough, and as a result we have seen businesses carefully strengthen their sales pipeline, manage overstock and generally upgrade their business health. Because of this we believe a lot of AU manufacturers will be in a strong position to take advantage of the change in economic fortunes,” he said.
For Stomping Ground Brewery, the positive trend is clear: focusing on community, staying adaptable, and maintaining strong relationships with customers are paying off. As consumer sentiment continues to improve, Australian brewers are poised to make the most of the opportunities ahead.