INDUSTRY PRESS RELEASE
Pallets with Purpose
A Get Lost Travel Group Innovation
Under normal circumstances, GLT employs 70 staff nationally and carry over 100,000 passengers each year on our tours throughout Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. But like most tourism businesses around the world, our company was devastated by the COVID-19 crisis when tour operations came to a standstill in early April.
CEO Paul Beames was heartbroken after standing down the entire workforce. “I went to the depot determined to change the destiny for our crew. On the way, I tripped over a bunch of wooden pallets on the nature strip from the neighbour’s factory. I sparked a conversation and discovered they were destined for landfill. I commented that was such a waste as they were in perfect condition and the neighbour happily offered them to me and said he could offer a steady supply.”
Paul continues, “with plenty of space in the depot and a shed full of tools, I started knocking together some prototypes. It blew me away how funky some of the designs from the wood grain polished up. I looked around and thought, we have all this vacant space, massive workbenches, lots of tools and a lot of talented people. I knew if I could convert the space into a furniture factory, I could re-employee some of the guides who had been stood down. And Pallets with Purpose was born”.
The JobKeeper payments, some ingenuity and pure determination, has allowed GLT to re-engage 20 Tour Guides so far, who have not only learnt a new skill, but they now have a reason to leave the house each day and support a company they love.
Paul explains “I was in a position to help our team through this difficult period by providing purpose, employment, connectedness and above all else, positive mental health. Since we have re-engaged some of the team, I’ve had grown men break down in tears. We’ve all been in tears. Having a purpose and reconnecting (while practicing social distancing, of course), has been an incredibly positive emotional experience for all of us”.
Industry legend Safari Pete has been a tour guide at GLT for four years. He recalls the moment he got the call from Paul about returning to work on Pallets with Purpose. “I thought it was very entrepreneurial to come up with this idea. But it was also a selfless act by Paul whereby he was putting the welfare of the team before himself or the business.”
Darren Donlen has also been a guide with GLT for nearly six years and is now the acting Foreman at the depot come factory, managing the prototypes and a team of 20. He said, “sitting alone at home by myself was lonely and beginning to feel like Groundhog Day. This business innovation has given me purpose, mental stimulation and socialisation with a bunch of great people”.
With no tours running there is no income at GLT so the goal is to sell these 100% recycled hardwood products to cover some of the unavoidable outgoings until tours are up and running again.
The Elevator Pitch
Next time you’re after a piece of furniture don’t go and buy a cheap piece of crap from a foreign-owned multinational. Instead, buy local and support Australian businesses. Every piece of furniture we make is unique. We have used 100% recycled timber. The tables are as solid and hard as a diamond in a snowstorm, and the unique characteristics and marbling in the wood are stunning. You have a flip-top cavity in the centre of the table which you can out an esky in, remote controls, toys or whatever you please!
But the most significant selling point is this furniture has been built with love, purpose and meaning. By purchasing one, you are supporting a local business and its passionate people through a difficult time.
Head to the shop to check out our range of products.
Q&A with Paul Beames – CEO
How has the COVID-19 crisis impacted Get Lost Travel (GLT)?
This pandemic has left the business and me utterly devastated and heartbroken. Before the JobKeeper package was announced, we were forced to cease operations and stand down many people and make many redundancies. These people are like my family, so this was gut-wrenchingly difficult for me.
What kind of emotional toll has this taken on you?
Honestly, I went to a dark place, and I knew that this disaster was different from any other. Typically, during a crisis of this magnitude, people come together and fight side by side. It is that sense of community and solidarity that gets people through the other side. The isolation aspect of COVID-19 is an entirely different kettle of fish. I knew people, like myself, were struggling with personal issues, on top of financial strain from loss of income. I was worried because a lack of purpose can be a pivotal contributor to mental health issues.
Where did the idea for Pallets with Purpose come from?
With plenty of space in the depot and a shed full of tools, I started knocking together some prototypes from the pallets the neighbour had given me. It blew me away how funky some of the designs from the wood grain polished up. Better than anything you would find at your average furniture store.
The lightbulb moment came during towards the end of the six-pack when I looked around and thought, we have all this vacant space, massive workbenches, lots of tools and talented people. While everyone will tell you, manufacturing is dead in Australia (and they are probably right), this wasn’t about competing with offshore companies. It was so much more profound.
I was in a position to help our team through this difficult period by providing purpose, employment, connectedness and above all else, positive mental health. Since we have re-engaged some of the team, I’ve had several grown men break down in tears. We’ve all been in tears. Having a purpose and reconnecting (while practising social distancing, of course), has been a very positive emotional experience for all of us. Its been so heart-warming to watch and be part of.
Will you be able to generate some income from selling products?
Obviously, with no tours running we have no income, but there are still some outgoings that we need to keep paying. We are coming into the second week of operations at Pallets with Purpose and are ready to start selling and promoting the products. So yes, we hope to sell some of course, but more importantly, we have been able to generate purpose, and I think that’s just as important.
Give us your elevator pitch!
Next time you’re after a piece of furniture don’t go and buy a cheap piece of crap from a foreign-owned multinational. Instead, buy local and support Australian businesses. Every piece of furniture we make is unique. We have used 100% recycled timber. The tables are as solid and hard as a diamond in a snowstorm, and the unique characteristics and marbling in the wood are stunning. You have a flip-top cavity in the centre of the table which you can out an esky in, remote controls, kids toys or whatever you please!
But the most significant selling point is this furniture has been built with love, purpose and meaning. By purchasing one, you are supporting a local business and its passionate people through a difficult time.
Do you do mates rates?
Of course, 50% off for our mates that like and share our Facebook page and for tourism industry peers. We are offering free delivery services around Melbourne and box and ship all over Australia. We are happy to take custom orders as well.
What’s next for GLT? How do you think this global crisis will impact your business?
The bond and connection we have with our loyal band of GLT crew will ensure we leap out the other side of this pandemic. If people are organisations most valuable asset, then we are in incredible shape.
Find out more
– Follow the developments and like the Pallets with Purpose Facebook Page.
– Visit the Pallets with Purpose page on the GLT website to view and purchase products.
– Email Paul on paul@gltg.com.au for custom orders or media requests.
