When Indy Dasanayaka arrived in Australia in 1998 to pursue a degree in business studies at university, he had no idea he was about to embark on a journey that would redefine his future and make an impact on Australia’s fresh produce logistics industry.
Indy’s introduction to the Australian fresh produce industry began humbly at the iconic Flemington Markets in Sydney working with the Fresh Produce Group, and later with Perfection Fresh Australia.
What began as a job quickly transitioned into a calling as Indy discovered a true passion for the logistics involved with the management and distribution of fresh produce.
Indy’s entrepreneurial drive is fuelled by his family’s background in mining and commerce back in Sri Lanka and he knew he was destined to build something of his own.
Encouraged by his mentor John Simonetta of Perfection Fresh, Indy’s dream began to take shape and with just one truck and a bold vision he established Flash Line Transport delivering fresh produce to 17 supermarkets in Canberra.
It was certainly a leap of faith for the young Indy, backed by grit, guts and a profound belief in reliable service.
“John trusted his gut to give me this opportunity,” says Indy. “The Simonetta family have been our pillar of strength since day one.”
From that initial single truck Flash Line Transport has developed into a real powerhouse investing over $20 million into its operations and building a deserved reputation for excellence.
Currently with more than 70 trucks in its fleet, the company has outgrown its original site in Parramatta and moved to larger premises in nearby Camellia.
Flash Line has a bold $30 million investment plan which includes the development of a purpose-built and state-of-the-art 3.5 acre facility in the rapidly growing freight hub of Marsden Park incorporating cold storage warehousing and an on-site permanent refuelling facility.
To achieve its level of success Flash Line Transport’s journey hasn’t just been about trucks and infrastructure.
“It’s about people, culture and doing things the right way,” says Indy.
“Our vision extends beyond infrastructure. We are building a future which integrates logistics, warehousing and innovation, all the while staying grounded and committed to our values.”
An indication of the commitment to a high level of operational and compliance efficiency is the utilisation of a dedicated team to come in every night to refuel the trucks from a self-contained 35,000-litre fuel facility and also wash out the truck bodies to result in a cleanliness standard exceeding industry benchmarks.
An advantage of the on-site fuel facility is the easy access, and no time is lost queuing at service stations. This level of care keeps the drivers happy, the trucks in excellent condition and the operations running with clockwork precision.
“It’s the easiest and most efficient way to get the job done correctly,” says Indy.
At Indy’s side is his wife and partner Anushka who is the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Together they make a formidable team.
“I’m good with numbers and finance, and Indy is good at operations,” says Anushka, whose financial management skills are underwritten by degrees in Accounting and Finance from RMIT, a certificate in Human Resources Management from Monash University, and experience with a major bank.
Anushka is also certified in managing food safety compliance under HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points.
The couple’s proudest achievement, however, is the culture they have built.
“Our team is family. They’re part of Flash Line, too,” says Anushka.
“Everyone has a seat at the table, drivers, staff, everyone. They are the face of our company and the heart of our success.”
That commitment to people extends into every area of Flash Line Transport’s operations, from selecting the right trucks by carefully choosing Hino for its reliability and Toyota-backed trust to investing in new technologies and capabilities.
Indy personally tested a number of brands before deciding upon Hino and has formed strong partnerships with TRS body builders and Daniel Glynn, the Dealer Principal at City Hino in Huntingwood in Western Sydney, who Indy credits with being a major contributor to Flash Line’s success.
Flash Line Transport’s footprint has expanded to include branches in Melbourne, Brisbane and the NSW Central Coast.
The fleet ranges from small two-pallet vehicles, to 14-pallet Hino 500 Series rigids, with prime movers handling long haul B-double duties along the East Coast.
Flash Line continues to build its diverse range of clients, from all of the major supermarket chains, fast food outlets, and many aged care facilities across New South Wales to Kmart and Dulux, with the transport of fresh flowers and dangerous goods an indication of the range of transport solutions the company offers.
The company’s versatility also extends into air freight logistics moving urgent perishables between airports and distribution centres.
Flash Line Transport is also a trusted supplier of services to QANTAS and D’nata through their relevant logistics partners. During the devastating bushfires which raged through the NSW South Coast late in 2019, roads were blocked and communities were isolated.
Committed to making food deliveries to aged care residents in Nowra, Flash Line’s drivers travelled ‘two-up’ via Canberra and Bega in order to make the deliveries, turning a normal three-hour delivery into a successful 24 hour mission.
Indy and Anushka stayed up through the night tracking the trucks and ensuring the entire exercise went smoothly, yet another example of their relentless dedication.
Indy credits part of the company’s growth has been due to advice given to him by industry veterans such as Peter Polo and Umar Farooq from Linfox, mentors who helped guide the business through challenges such as during the COVID pandemic.
“Australia has given us an incredible opportunity,” says Indy with genuine humble gratitude.
“Back in Sri Lanka, business was in our blood, but here we have found our true path. We don’t just deliver goods, we deliver trust, reliability and solutions for our customers.”
The company slogan, ‘We carry our weight,’ belies the importance placed on looking after customers and achieving their goals.
Indy and Anushka and their wider team see themselves as more than another logistics company.
“For them, it’s about building something which lasts, one delivery at a time,” he says.
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