AusTANNERS & Graine

Meet Matthew Courtnay, Owner & Director of Geelong -based leather tannery AusTANNERS Australia. With over 80 years history in leather production, they pride themselves on producing high quality leathers that will stand the test of time. It’s easy to see why AusTANNERS is the preferred leather supplier to bespoke leather goods producers locally and internationally, supplying Australian-made leathers for saddlery, sports equipment, fashion, upholstery and more.

One of AusTANNERS’ longest standing customers is Graine, a family-owned fashion label which has been designing and crafting a range of bags, belts, wallets and more in Brunswick East, Victoria, for more than 30 years.  Second-generation designer and Brand Manager, Kerryn Brodie, believes that when shoppers buy Australian Made leather products they’re “supporting local jobs and the economy”. Graine products are made one at a time, which allows its leather artisans to give extra care and attention to the creation of each new piece. 

Mumme Tools

Meet Jonasz Marek, General Manager of Mumme Tools, Australia’s leading manufacturer of hand forged tools used in mining and building applications. Established in 1936 from founder Bill Mumme’s backyard, Mumme Tools has a long history in Australia that originates from humble beginnings. Today, Mumme Tools crafts more than 500 SKUs locally under one roof in Lonsdale, Adelaide and is widely regarded for the durability of its tools – particularly its non-sparking copper hammer and wide range of wrecking bars.

These tough tools go through as many as 32 forging and manufacturing processes, and are perfected by 21 craftspeople in their local workshop before hitting the shelf. This level of detail ensures Mumme Tools “stand the test of time” and gives miners and tradespeople piece-of-mind on the job at worksites in Australia and overseas. Mumme Tools have worked across eight decades with a local workforce to keep age-old trades like metal forging on Australian soil.

Volvo & Mack Trucks

Meet Martin Merrick, President & CEO of Volvo Group Australia, the country’s largest automotive manufacturer, producing heavy duty trucks. Volvo Group’s Australian manufacturing story began in 1972 when the business first established their production facility building trucks in Wacol, Queensland. This facility is now responsible for the manufacture of both Volvo and Mack Trucks. Their team now consists of approximately 1500 people of 40 different nationalities and supports a supply chain of over 90 local businesses.

Volvo Trucks is renowned for their reliability and are underpinned by three core values: quality, safety and environmental care. Several Volvo models are designed and built here in Australia specifically for Australian conditions. In 2001 Mack trucks were integrated into the Wacol factory. Mack have been driving Australia forward for 100 years and their heavy-duty vehicles are custom-made with the durability and strength to conquer the tough roads and harsh environmental conditions familiar to Australian long-haul drivers.

frank green

frank green was founded by passionate environmental advocate Ben Young. His fast-growing Aussie business develops innovative, reusable coffee cups and drink bottles in Australia’s coffee capital, Melbourne. frank green products are super-stylish, functional and kind to the environment, and are an easy way to support Aussie businesses in your day-to-day habits.

With a background in recycling technology, Ben spent more than “three long years” developing and testing frank green’s unique design and one-of-a-kind technology that allows shoppers to pay for their coffee with a simple wave – an Aussie innovation which is now exported all over the world. 

Thongs Australia

Thongs are a quintessential part of Australian fashion culture, and there’s nothing more ‘Aussie’ than strolling down the beach in a pair of locally made Thongs manufactured in Melbourne by Thongs Australia. Directors Marc Lord and Andrew Kuypers pride themselves on making a high-quality product from durable, natural rubber that will “last many summers”.

From Australia’s urban cities to its beautiful coastlines, even the design and tread patterns of these locally-made Thongs have been directly influenced by iconic Australian architecture, art and natural landmarks. Shoppers can choose between a select range of colours including Classic Black, Salt Lake Pink, Otways Green and Outback Red (coming soon). Thongs Australia is committed to locally manufacturing everyday footwear that provides optimum comfort and durability, while limiting its environmental impact by putting less product into the market.

Jayco Australia

Jayco Australia manufactures a wide range of high-quality caravans and recreational vehicles in Australia. Headed-up by Chief Executive Officer, Garry Moore, Jayco Australia is one of the country’s largest automotive manufacturers and a familiar household name. Jayco Australia prides itself on manufacturing vehicles that are widely regarded as safe and durable, which means they’re perfect for “Australia’s trying conditions”.

Now in its fourth decade, this family business with over 1000 employees is one of the great success stories of Australian manufacturing. Jayco Australia is passionate about sourcing local materials and gives back to the community beyond this by supporting a number of local sports teams. Jayco Australia is home to an extensive sewing shop and one of the largest sawmills in the Southern Hemisphere, solidifying its devotion to Aussie industry by working to help keep vital skills in Australia.

Apiary Made

Meet Celeste Faltyn, Owner & Founder of Apiary Made; a Victorian based small business hand-crafting a range of natural and ethical goods derived from the beehive. The Apiary Made product range includes colourful and sustainable beeswax food wraps, natural skincare made from medicinal honey and candles made from pure Australian beeswax.

Every stage of production is handled by Apiary Made right here in Australia; from paddock to product this eco-conscious brand is big on full circle production practises. Their wildflower honey is sourced from Celeste’s own backyard in the pristine Yarra Valley and processed in her factory less than an hour away. Supported by other Australian beekeepers, Apiary Made handcrafts goods that are proudly both luxurious and sustainable.

Australian Garlic Producers

Meet Nick Diamantopoulos, Founder & CEO of Australian Garlic Producers – the country’s largest grower and marketer of Australian garlic – operating across more than 700 acres of garlic fields Australia wide. Australian Garlic Producers has been working with the major Australian supermarkets for more than 20 years to ensure Australians have easy access to fresh locally-grown garlic and garlic pastes year-round.

Nick’s latest innovation - Australian Garlic Oil - is a dietary supplement made from 100% Australian Garlic Oil containing high therapeutic properties and is the first of its kind. This Aussie creation can help maintain a healthy immune system and relieve the severity of common cold symptoms. At the height of harvest season Australian Garlic Producers employs up to 600 seasonal workers. Every stage of production is overseen by the Australian Garlic Producers team locally in Australia with full traceability back to variety, field and location. 

Budgy Smuggler

Aussies are always prepared to have a bit of laugh, an attribute that has no doubt contributed to the success of Manly-based brand Budgy Smuggler Swimwear. General Smuggling Manager, Brenden Hartmann, says that making bright, outrageous and fun prints in their Sydney factory is incredibly rewarding because it allows them to “see the result” of their hard work. Manufacturing locally also enables Budgy Smuggler to maintain a close relationship with their factory team, who have been crafting Aussie swimwear for 12 years.

From humble beginnings as a group of mates having a laugh in their backyard, to sending out more than 40,000 thousand pairs of swimwear all over the world each year, Budgy Smuggler have become an Aussie icon. It's Aussie Made swimwear has even been worn by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex on a recent visit to Australia. Budgy Smuggler is proud to carry the Australian Made “stamp of approval” which gives shoppers confidence that their swimwear is genuinely made in Australia.

MiniJumbuk

Located in the country town of Naracoorte in South Australia, MiniJumbuk first opened its doors in 1975.  The inspiration for the business came when local sheep shearer, Don Wray, began carefully selecting and experimenting with the best wool varieties from local farms to create MiniJumbuk’s first quilt. Applying his unique understanding of wool’s incredible properties, Don succeeded in creating a design that was light, warm, comfortable and hard wearing.

Since that time, MiniJumbuk has grown to become a global leader in the design and manufacture of premium Australian Made wool bedding products, including quilts, pillows and mattress toppers. “We love the fact that we can put on an Australian Made logo that confirms all the hard work that we do here in Narracoorte,” said MiniJumbuk Managing Director, Darren Turner. MiniJumbuk’s local workforce individually handcrafts every product with care – which ensures their customers can enjoy a comfortable night’s rest on a locally crafted sleep system that will stand the test of time.