General News
15 May, 2026
Raising the profile of regional partnerships
Two Maryborough-based businesses are “showing their colours” together on roads across Victoria and beyond with MTS trailers featuring True Food’s subsidiary Simson’s Pantry.
Two Maryborough-based businesses are “showing their colours” together on roads across Victoria and beyond, with transport operator MTS unveiling a newly branded trailer design featuring True Food’s subsidiary, Simson’s Pantry.
To mark a 15 year partnership between two major Maryborough businesses, MTS trucks are turning blue to honour their partnership with Simson’s Pantry.
The new trailer highlights what both company’s said is a close working relationship since True Foods relocated to Maryborough from Melbourne in 2017, playing an important role in Simson’s Pantry’s growth from a regional business into an expanding brand supplying customers more broadly across Australia.
According to both businesses, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to regional business, strong service, and the value of long-term local partnerships.
Simson’s Pantry owner Mark Thurlow said the branded trailer was a visible symbol of the relationship between the two businesses.
“MTS has been a trusted partner to our business for many years,” he said.
“In food manufacturing, reliable transport is critical. You can have a great product, but without the right partners helping you deliver day in and day out, it is very difficult to grow.
“We’re proud to recognise a partnership that has supported our business over a long period of time, and proud that it involves another strong Maryborough business.”
MTS owner Graeme Lean said the decision to feature Simson’s Pantry branding on the trailer was a natural extension of the long-standing relationship.
“We’ve worked alongside the Simson’s Pantry team for more than 15 years, and we’ve built that partnership on trust, service and shared values,” he said.
“As a local transport operator, we see ourselves as part of our customers’ success. When local businesses grow, that creates benefits for the broader region as well.
“This was a great opportunity to show our support for a valued customer and a fellow Maryborough business.”
The trailer will operate on regular freight routes, helping raise the visibility of both businesses while reinforcing the role regional companies continue to play in supplying customers across the country.
“It means a lot to see two Maryborough businesses backing each other, and it shows the importance of building strong partnerships that can continue into the future,” Mr Lean said.
The initiative also reflects the contribution local businesses make to the regional economy through investment, employment and long-term business relationships.
Simson’s Pantry managing director Jason Baker praised the reliability of MTS over their 15 years together.
“In food manufacturing, reliable transport is critical. You can have a great product, but without the right partners helping you deliver day in day out, it is very difficult to grow,” he said.
“The support that we have offered each other throughout those years has been pretty astronomical. I know there are times we have leant on Graeme and his team, and vice versa, I think that idea of ‘we are in this together’ has actually payed off.”
He said both companies’ adaptability to customer needs throughout their time together is what has kept both local businesses expanding.
“We’ve just adapted with the change of customer requirements, between MTS and True Foods, we have just been constantly responding to what the customer needs, and if we are going to meet them together,” Mr Baker said.
“Having that with a network partner like MTS is definitely great for us, I can imagine it is great for them as well. It’s a great opportunity for regional manufacturers and businesses to actually partner and develop something quite successful.