The CX Show

How do you run Australia’s #1 independent supermarket? We asked the two people who would know.

On S2 E5 on The CX Show, we’re joined by Ritchies Stores CEO Fred Harrison and CEO-elect Wayne Harrison for a conversation that goes well beyond supermarkets.

With Fred preparing to hand the CEO title to Wayne at the beginning of next year, we got both perspectives on leadership, business and where the supermarket industry is heading next.

We talk about what it really takes to become a CEO, dealing with banks and borrowing money in business, and something every food and beverage supplier will want to hear... How do you actually make a good impression when pitching your product to Ritchies Stores?

We also look at the future of supermarkets and some fascinating trends already appearing overseas, including the impact of GLP-1 medications on the way people shop and the emergence of dedicated nutrient-dense aisles in US supermarkets.

#TheCXShow #Ritchies #Supermarkets #ColdXpress

On this edition of The CX Show, we sit down with local Aussie dairy legends Steve Ronalds and Sallie Jones to talk all things Gippsland Jersey.

Born from difficult lived experience, Steve and Sallie came together with a shared mission to champion Australian dairy farmers and raise awareness of mental health in regional communities.

Their journey hasn’t been without its challenges. From navigating the pressures of the Australian dairy industry to building a purpose-led brand from the ground up, the pair have faced plenty of trials along the way and continued to push forward. Their persistence has also been recognised on the national stage, with Gippsland Jersey winning Australia’s Best Full Cream Milk in 2024, followed by Australia’s Best Light Milk in both 2025 and 2026 at the Australian Dairy Awards.

This episode offers a candid look inside a remarkable Australian family business, exploring the challenges they’ve faced, the resilience that has kept them moving forward, and the people behind the brand. It also provides an honest look at what it takes to build a purpose-driven business in one of Australia’s toughest industries.

After breaking his back in an accident at just 24 years old, Mick Vawdrey faced a life-changing challenge while raising his young son, Paul. From a wheelchair, he went on to build Vawdrey Australia, one of Australia's bigest and last purely Australian manufacturers. If you see a truck in Australia, chances are the trailer is Vawdrey-made.A story shaped by determination, grit, and an unwavering commitment to moving forward, this episode is packed with some fantastic stories and challenges.#TheCXShow #VawdreyAustralia #AustralianBusiness #TransportIndustry #FamilyBusiness #BusinessStory #Resilience #ColdXpress

The CX Show is back!

On this episode we are joined by Ashlee, Benjamin & Allister from The Country Grocers to talk family business, supermarkets, and the reality behind customer purchase decisions.

For anyone interested in the day-to-day operations behind a food & beverage store, or even some behind-the-scenes realities about pricing and catalogues, this episode is for you!

#coldxpress #thecxshow #thecountrygrocers #supermarkets #familybusiness

Join John, Jack and Alex from Cold Xpress as they talk all things family business and the food and beverage industry. On this episode they are joined by Catherine Sayer, CEO of Family Business Australia (FBA) for a chat about the FBA, the current economy for family businesses, and things get heated between siblings live on air.

This month, the CX Show brings you a very special Christmas special as we sit down with Peter Tri — founder of 8 Food, one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing condiment manufacturers, supplying everyone from independent restaurants to global giants like Costco.

Peter’s story is anything but linear. After dropping out of school at 16 and cutting his teeth in hospitality, he built and scaled multiple successful food businesses — only to face near-total collapse during the 2007–08 period. Rather than walk away, Peter made a bold, all-in pivot, investing millions into manufacturing and rebuilding his business from the ground up.

That decision changed everything. Today, 8 Food supplies thousands of stores nationwide, generates tens of millions in revenue, and continues to grow year after year — all driven by a relentless work ethic, hard-earned lessons, and a mindset forged through adversity.

In this conversation, Peter opens up about failure, resilience, and the uncomfortable decisions that define real entrepreneurship — sharing what it truly takes to rebuild, scale, and stay in the game long enough to win.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

This month, we sit down with Secon Freight Logistics — a proudly Australian company built on more than 50 years of family values, hard work, and unwavering trust. What began in 1969, when Maurie Considine founded the business with a clear vision and a hands-on ethic, has grown into one of the country’s most respected names in freight and logistics.From those early days, when the operation was small, personal, and grounded in community, the Secon story has always been about people. Even as the company expanded into a national logistics leader, the family ethos never disappeared — it expanded. Today, the Secon family includes their entire team, their clients, and every partner who relies on them to deliver.Built on honesty, reliability, and genuine care, Secon continues to uphold a standard that has defined them for decades: treating every load as if it were their own. With a versatile fleet of prime movers, trailers, and side-loaders, they support Australia’s import and export supply chain with container cartage, warehousing, distribution, bulk services, intermodal capabilities, and smart triangulation for cost-effective operations.Now part of Silk Logistics Holdings Limited (ASX:SLH), Secon brings family values into a modern logistics network — delivering with precision, partnership, and a personal touch that has guided them from day one.

This month, we sit down with the team at Floridia Cheese — a family-owned Australian company built on over 70 years of tradition, passion, and craftsmanship. From humble beginnings in 1952, when Mauro and Carmela Montalto migrated from Sicily with their three young sons, the Floridia story is one of heritage carried across generations and perfected on Australian soil.

What started as Mauro making ricotta over a wood fire in his backyard soon grew into something far greater — a community favourite that became one of Australia’s most respected traditional Italian cheese manufacturers. Today, Floridia Cheese continues to uphold the family’s legacy, blending time-honoured Sicilian methods with modern innovation to create the finest Mozzarella, Bocconcini, Ricotta, and Pecorino, all crafted with care in Thomastown, Victoria.

This month, we sit down with the team at JL King & Co — a family-owned Australian company with over 100 years of history. From humble beginnings in 1913 to becoming one of the nation’s most trusted suppliers of fresh produce and ready-made meals, JL King & Co has been built on family values, community, and a relentless commitment to quality.

Today, their products reach thousands of Australian homes, schools, supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants, all while staying true to their roots in the Central Victorian region. In this episode, the JL King team share how they balance heritage with innovation — from sourcing the best local fruit and vegetables to creating pre-prepared salads, soups, and meals that make everyday eating simple, healthy, and delicious.

This is a conversation about legacy, growth, and the passion behind feeding a nation with quality you can trust.

This month, Jack, John and Alex sit down with Patrick LaManna — CEO of LaManna and Director of Pistachio Papi. From leading Melbourne’s go-to destination for “the good things in life” to creating a cult-followed dessert brand, Patrick shares how family values, quality produce, and a passion for innovation have shaped his journey. LaManna is more than a supermarket — it’s a celebration of flavour, culture, and connection, inspiring customers to cook, create, and share unforgettable moments around the table. This episode is a rich and inspiring conversation about heritage, entrepreneurship, and the joy of bringing people together through food.