Agricultural supply chain specialist company focusing on future after COVID-19

Greenleaf Enterprises focuses on helping agricultural businesses make the best decisions to increase value in their food supply chains to reach new markets, invest in innovative products and ensure their businesses are viable in competitive international and domestic markets.  

Managing director Phil Green has been able to secure the same future for Greenleaf Enterprises during and after COVID-19 by continuing to invest in new projects and supporting their most valuable asset, their staff, with a COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan.  

The loan scheme administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority, provides finance of up to $250,000 for businesses and non-profit organisations impacted by COVID-19 to assist with carry-on expenses such as employee wages, rent and rates and other expenditure 

Mr Green said the specialist nature of the business meant his staff were highly skilled and the COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan allowed him to retain all 15 employees.  

“We need to invest in getting our employees up to speed when they come into the business as it is highly specialised,” he said 

“It takes a lot of time so they are really valuable to us. We don’t want to let our people go, at all costs we need to maintain our staff to deliver the projects that have been pushed out due to COVID-19. Besides, we like working as a team. 

“Staff are the biggest cost but also the biggest direct benefit and the loan is able to help us continue supporting them. It stopped us letting go of staff and allowed us to realise the value of work commitments when it comes back online.” 

Mr Green said his staff were specially trained in helping agricultural companies make the most of their food supply chains. 

“We get underneath the operations of the business based on data and facts but we also need to know the social and market drivers are to help clients adapt to a whole ecosystem that makes up the supply chain network,” he said. 

 “We get our hands dirty, identify where the business could be better and work with clients to help create new value and growth.” 

Mr Green said the COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan also allowed the business to maintain operations and continue new project developments for the future.  

He said COVID-19 travel restrictions limited the ability to access existing contracts domestically and internationally and would have potentially impacted the business in the interim.  

“Even though future work post COVID-19 had been contracted, all our food industry clients are only focused on keeping essential business running,” Mr Green said. 

 “The loan has helped us in meeting the massive gap in cash flow. The impact has been quite large. 

“To us the loan was more than a safety net, it wasn’t that insignificant. If we didn’t have it, we wouldn’t have walked out on the tightrope during COVID-19. It has enabled us to continue on a far more active intervention. There is a lot of upcoming work for us to do 

“We are maintaining and stimulating business growth and employees and making the most of lots of opportunities. Because of this loan, we have been able to act on those. It’s been a miracle.” 

Existing COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan clients can find important information about the ongoing management of their loans on the COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan page.

QRIDA is delivering the $1 billion COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan Scheme on behalf of the Queensland Government.