FAMILY OWNED & TRUSTED
SINCE 1933

90 YEARS YOUNG

Red Funnel has a rich and enduring history in the food distribution industry, spanning over 90 years. The company's roots can be traced back to the 1920’s when it operated as a fresh seafood business, utilising a fleet of steam trawlers to source the freshest catch along the New South Wales coast. With a base in Sydney and a Cold Store business in Newcastle, Red Funnel Fisheries Pty Ltd began establishing its reputation for delivering quality seafood.

In 1933, the Newcastle business was acquired by Gerry Cominos and Chris Pappas, who, along with Peter Cominos, formed a partnership that would shape the future of Red Funnel. Operating out of Dark Ice Works in Newcastle, they distributed fresh fish and prawns to seafood outlets, gradually expanding their offerings to include frozen fish as well.

In the 1970s, Arthur Cominos, together with Chris Sofianos, formed Ithaca Cold Storage Pty Ltd, the holding company of Red Funnel Fisheries. This partnership allowed Red Funnel to diversify into general food products and become an agent for Edgell-Birds Eye. The acquisition of the Edgell-Birds Eye Cold Storage Facility in Kotara served as the company's new head office, marking a significant milestone in its expansion.

The company extended its distribution network to encompass areas from Taree in the north to the Central Coast in the south, and westward to Scone in the Hunter Valley.

In 2010, we, the third generation of the Cominos and Sofianos families, took the helm of Red Funnel, carrying on the legacy established by their fathers and uncles. As Directors (Peter Cominos, George Sofianos, Alexi Cominos, and Peter Sofianos) we are proud to lead this historic company forward.

Today, Red Funnel is a major player in the food distribution industry, offering a diverse range of products. From frozen goods to dairy, small goods, dry goods, and fresh seafood, we have you covered. Our dedicated team of over 70 employees, many of whom have been with us for decades, shares our commitment to delivering top-quality products and outstanding service.

Being a locally owned and operated business, we value the strong relationships we have built with our customers over the years. Our focus remains unwavering on providing the highest quality and upholding service excellence. With a legacy built on integrity and reliability, Red Funnel continues to be a trusted name in the food distribution industry.

WHAT OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS SAY

  • "Running a business is stressful. Red Funnel give me peace of mind. They take away a layer of worry.”

    - TIM, RASCAL BURGERS

  • “A family run business, amazing people from the top to the bottom. They all know my name, I’m not just a number. I love that I can ring up and speak to a human. A wide variety of products, well priced and well stocked.”

    - STUART, MARY ELLEN HOTEL

  • “The relationship is very important. They make an effort, they get to know you on a business and personal level. It makes doing business with them easy as you can be honest with one another. It goes both ways, a mutual relationship. They are a local family business, relationships are engrained in them. You don’t see that often anymore.

    - JEREMY, WEST LEAGUES CLUB

  • “The support they give is second to none. They are passionate and they care. Their delivery guys are friendly and on time, they do all the packing away thoroughly. You can tell when people love what they do.”

    - LEONARD, SHOAL BAY COUNTRY CLUB.

  • “Working with Red Funnel is stress free.”

    - DAVID, PIPPI’S AT THE POINT

  • “I’ve been with Red Funnel for a long time and I wouldn’t work with anyone else. They’re all great people and their customers are their top priority. I’m a loyal person and they are loyal to me. The Red Funnel products are essential to my business, they are 100% of my takeaway. The products are fresh and they are quality.””

    - KYLIE, IRWINS FUEL

  • “They always go above and beyond and show their commitment. They’ll always drop the hat for us.”

    - NATHAN, SCRATCHLEYS

we’re HACCP accredited

We are proud to be HACCP accredited, adhering to the industry's highest food safety standards. Our commitment to following rigorous health and safety policies and procedures ensures that our customers receive products of the utmost quality and safety. Your trust and well-being are our top priorities.