Behind every bottle on a store shelf is a team of people working to ensure it is ready for Australian consumers.
At Afford’s Inclusive Employment facility in Ingleburn, that team includes more than 20 supported employees whose skill, precision and dedication help prepare some of the world’s most recognised premium spirits for market.
Through our longstanding partnership with Suntory Oceania, assisted employees carefully hand-label imported spirits including Jim Beam, Hibiki and Yamazaki, ensuring every product meets Australian compliance requirements before reaching retailers across the country.
Each month, the team labels approximately 25,500 cases of spirits, making them an important part of Suntory Oceania’s supply chain.
While the numbers are impressive, the real impact of the partnership extends far beyond logistics.
Suntory Oceania is committed to creating a positive impact in the communities and its work with Afford is a great example of that, says the group’s Director of Sustainability Ian Goldschmidt.
“Our partnership with Afford reflects our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, develop their skills and thrive in the workplace,” says Ian.
“We’re proud to work alongside an organisation that shares our values and to support meaningful employment opportunities that empower people with disability while delivering important outcomes for our business and consumers.”
Creating meaningful work
At Afford, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, develop new skills and experience the pride that comes from meaningful employment.
Supported employment provides people with disability the opportunity to work in an environment that is tailored to their individual strengths, while building confidence, independence and valuable workplace skills.
For many employees, consistent, purposeful work also provides routine, social connection and the opportunity to continue developing both personally and professionally.
The detailed nature of the Suntory Oceania labelling work requires concentration, accuracy and teamwork – qualities our employees demonstrate every day.
It is a wonderful example of how, with the right support in place, people with disability can deliver outstanding outcomes for major national and international businesses.
Partnerships that benefit everyone
Afford is incredibly proud of its ongoing relationship with Suntory Oceania.
Successful partnerships like this are built on trust, shared values and a commitment to quality. They demonstrate that inclusive employment is not simply about creating opportunities – it is about recognising talent and capability.
By partnering with Afford, organisations gain access to a reliable, dedicated workforce while helping create lasting social impact within their communities.
As Michael McEvoy, Operations Manager Inclusive Employment at Afford, explains:
“Partnerships like this help shift industry perceptions of disability-inclusive workforces and social enterprise. It demonstrates that inclusive employment is not only socially valuable, but operationally reliable and scalable. We can deliver operational value while creating meaningful employment opportunities.”
These partnerships help challenge outdated assumptions about disability employment by showcasing what is possible when organisations focus on ability rather than limitation.
Looking to the future
As Afford continues to expand opportunities for supported employment, partnerships with organisations such as Suntory Oceania play an important role in creating sustainable jobs for people with disability.
Every project completed represents more than a finished product. It represents confidence gained, skills strengthened, friendships formed and independence supported.
We are grateful to Suntory Oceania for recognising the value of inclusive employment and for continuing to invest in a partnership that delivers meaningful outcomes for everyone involved.
Together, we are proving that inclusive workplaces are stronger workplaces – and that creating opportunities for people with disability is not only the right thing to do, but good business.
