Case Study: Drunken Sailor – Scaling Smart with Packserv Automation

Back in 2012, during a relaxed dinner with friends, founder Justin Arnoux found himself in deep conversation about jams and relishes, and the bold flavours that connect people.

“That night sparked something. I wanted to capture the shared love of food, the laughter and the energy, and somehow distil it into a bottle,” says Justin. What began as a simple idea soon became the foundation of a growing business built on creativity, passion and a genuine appreciation for quality produce.

Food has long been part of Justin’s world. Raised in a family of food lovers, he grew up immersed in the sights, smells, and rituals of the kitchen. His father, both a chef and a baker, instilled in him an early understanding of technique, flavour, and balance. This upbringing shaped both his palate and his approach to creating authentic, thoughtfully made products.

The business operated out of Justin’s home kitchen for the first six years. At the time, Justin balanced production alongside a full-time job. Evenings were spent producing small batches, working around the everyday routines of his housemates, often competing with them for bench space with quick meals like two-minute noodles or cheese and Vegemite jaffles. It was a modest setup, but it allowed him to experiment, refine recipes, and steadily build a loyal customer base.

That early-stage hustle is something Nathan Wardell, Managing Director of Packserv, understands well.

“What’s often overlooked is that many brands, including Packserv itself in the early days, started from very modest beginnings – mine was the garage”, says Nathan. “Whether it’s the home kitchen, a small workspace or a makeshift production setup, that stage teaches you resilience and creativity.”

As demand for Drunken Sailor products continued to grow, it became clear that the business had outgrown the home kitchen environment. Justin moved into a dedicated production facility, marking a significant step forward. From there, he reinvested every dollar back into the business, improving processes, expanding capacity, and building a strong foundation for long-term growth. Automation soon became a natural next step, not just to keep up with demand but to create consistency and efficiency across production.

When it came time to explore machinery options, Justin discovered Packserv through a Google search and carefully compared manufacturers before reaching a decision.

“Being able to work with a local supplier was a major advantage,” says Justin. “Having access to technical support nearby gave us confidence and helped minimise any risk of downtime. What also stood out was Packserv’s willingness to tailor a solution specifically to our operation instead of offering a standard off-the-shelf setup.”