Featured Stories
Riordan Grain
A Kenworth Legend in the Grain Industry
The journey of Jim Riordan, Managing Director of Riordan Grain, is a story of hard work, innovation, and a love for agriculture. Recently named a Kenworth Legend for 2025, Jim’s legacy in the grain industry is remarkable, and it all began with a single truck and an unyielding determination to succeed.
In the Beginning
“I can still remember the very first load that I did in the very first truck,” Jim recalls. With little more than ambition and a truck, he set off carting grain for farmers in central New South Wales. That initial experience laid the foundation for what would become Australia’s largest privately owned grain business, executing nearly two million tonnes of product worldwide.
A Turning Point in the Industry
The landscape of the grain industry changed dramatically in 2010 when the Australian Wheat Board was deregulated. This pivotal moment opened doors, allowing businesses like Riordan Grain to access more customers and expand their operations. Jim and his team faced challenges as new competitors flooded the market, but they were poised for growth. By 2016, they embarked on a bold new venture by loading bulk ships, a move inspired by Jim’s observations of operations in the quarrying industry and the Mississippi River.
“I started looking at how we could drive trucks over big belts and load ships,” he explains. This innovative approach led to the development of mobile bulk loading systems, allowing them to efficiently transfer grain from trucks to ships.
Building Strong Relationships
Today, Riordan Grain is the number one supplier for Asahi in Australia, exporting a variety of products, including fava beans, malt, barley, and canola, to customers around the globe. Jim emphasises the importance of relationships in his success story. “Farmers love what we do, and the customers love what we do,” he shares. The support of family and community has also played a crucial role in their achievements.
Reflecting on the joy of his own youth, Jim fondly tells how children come to the yard on weekends, polishing and admiring the trucks. This connection to the next generation reinforces Jim’s commitment to leaving a positive legacy in agriculture.
“You see the kids come down here on the weekends that ride their bikes just like I did as a boy.”
A Legacy Built on Trust
The name Riordan Grain carries significant weight, representing loyalty and trust. Jim believes this reputation is paramount to their success. “We say what we’re going to do, and we try to be the best at what we do every day,” he asserts.
For Jim, the partnership with Kenworth has been integral to their operations. “Kenworth trucks have been a massive part of what we’ve done,” he notes. With a fleet of 85 trucks, Riordan Grain covers hundreds of thousands of kilometres each year. “They just fit like a glove, and they look fantastic,” he adds, emphasising the reliability and performance of Kenworth vehicles.
