Racking Up Results: How Jimba Lamb Got Its Inventory in Shape

How a homegrown inventory solution helped United Meat Co’s Australian arm, Jimba Lamb, gain full control of their box-to-kilo operations.

The need for a smarter, faster supply chain

When premium Australian lamb travels around the world, chances are it passed through the cold rooms of Jimba Lamb, the domestic sales and logistics arm of United Meat Co. But before they could scale, they needed to solve a unique inventory challenge — one that most off-the-shelf software couldn’t.

Dylan Hopp, General Manager of United Meat Co Australia brand, Jimba Lamb, said that before finding Fishbowl, they looked for months for a customisable, Australian-based solution that could integrate with Xero.

“Most businesses invoice before they pick and pack,” explains Dylan. “But our model is different. We sell by the box and charge by the kilo — and every box weighs something different. We don’t know the invoice total until after the inventory has been picked.”

Searching for the right fit

As a new division of United Meat Co, Jimba Lamb was building its systems from scratch. In their efforts to find something that could be customised to solve their unique issue, the service from a local provider was critical.

“First of all, Fishbowl had an office here in Australia,” said Dylan. “That was important to us. We wanted to deal with people who understood our local environment and were available when we needed them.”

A collaboration toward a perfect solution

Dylan continues to explain that Fishbowl didn’t just sell software — they collaborated. The Fishbowl team worked closely with Jimba Lamb to co-develop a solution that could generate invoices and picking slips simultaneously, tailored to their box-to-kilo process.

“They were awesome,” said Dylan. “We even went to their offices in Queensland to talk things through. They were open, responsive, and willing to adapt their usual approach to meet our needs.”

The onboarding experience and ongoing support made a lasting impression, Dylan added. “Even after implementation, they were really responsive to our questions.”

The power of local service

Compared to other inventory software providers, Dylan adds that Fishbowl’s onshore support was a game-changer for Jimba Lamb.

“With the big international systems, you wait two days for a response — and that would ruin us,” said Dylan. “Fishbowl is responsive, onshore, and understands how we operate.”

Better reporting, better confidence

As Dylan looks to the broader supply chain, he speaks highly of Fishbowl’s reporting capabilities which have become an essential part of day-to-day operations.

“The reporting features help me track orders and team performance,” said Dylan.” I can see that the transport crew has everything ready, and that we’re efficiently delivering meat around the country,” said Dylan. “That visibility has a flow-on effect. My sales team is more confident. They know the warehouse team has their back.”

A partner in growth

For Jimba Lamb, Fishbowl helped transform a brand-new sales division into a high-functioning national operation and exporter, able to move premium products with confidence and control.

“It’s the premium lamb that goes around the world,” said Dylan. “Thanks to Fishbowl, it’s also backed by a premium inventory system that’s as smart and responsive as the business behind it.”

Tailoring tech to Australian food processors

Simon Jupe, Managing Director of Fishbowl Australia, said Jimba Lamb is a great example of how tailored inventory solutions can unlock business potential.

“Fishbowl is intuitive and powerful out of the box, which is why it suits so many industries. But when it comes to the unique nature of food processing in Australia, we pride ourselves on going further,” said Simon.

“Our team is deeply experienced and local. We sit down with our clients, understand their workflow, and engineer solutions that work specifically for them. Jimba Lamb needed a system that flipped the typical pick-and-invoice model, and we were able to build that into their workflow seamlessly.”

“That kind of adaptability and service is what sets Fishbowl apart. We’re not just selling software. We’re backing Australian businesses with the technology and support they need to grow.”

He adds that Fishbowl’s strength lies in its flexibility, helping businesses at all stages of their growth journey.

“Whether you’re just starting out and need structure from day one, or you’re scaling and want to step up your operations, Fishbowl gives you the tools and support to do that,” Simon said. “We’re here to grow with you.”

To support business owners through this process, Fishbowl has developed a resource to help identify when it’s time for change and how to transition smoothly. Download “The Five Biggest Inventory Management Fails and How to Fix Them” to learn more.