New AuctionsPlus CEO says embrace change

Speaking at the Better Beef conference in Bairnsdale recently, Angus Street, who took on the role earlier this month, said being curious, and open to change, was what would drive the industry forward.

“Collectively, as individuals and industry organisations, we need to evolve and tackle change within the sector,” Mr Street said.

He said being Australia’s largest saleyard holds a lot of responsibility, which is why AuctionsPlus was determined to embrace technological change.

He said the founders of AuctionsPlus were visionaries.

To run the platform’s first auction, it required two metres of electronic wire, a fax machine, and a two-way to relay bids.

“AuctionsPlus was founded 32 years ago, before the internet,” he said.

“It was founded to trade livestock electronically, and they didn’t know what it would grow to, but knew what it could offer.”

He said in the last five years, AuctionsPlus had seen exponential growth.

“For cattle numbers, we’ve seen a 117 per cent growth, and for sheep a 72pc growth,” he said.

“And what’s really exciting for me, as someone who’s passionate about online market places, is that while we’ve grown the amount of supply we have, we’ve also grown significantly the number of people logging on to our system each day – our online community.”

Mr Street said this change was upon us.

“The future looks like one where producers, vendors, assessors, agents, logistic providers, and more, are all connected in one ecosystem, adding value to one another,” he said.

“Where feedback and data goes up and down the supply chain, and is accessible to everybody.”

He said businesses and individuals need to be open to collaboration.

“You can’t be afraid to share ideas; we have to stop being competitors but companions instead.”

But he said it was important that the industry remain robust, and was driven by trust and accountability.