Australian Makers

Tontine

Helping families enjoy a full eight hours of sleep; Tontine has been crafting pillows and quilts locally in Melbourne, Australia for more than 60 years.

Tontine is a company that prides itself on ‘doing it all locally’, producing more than 4.3 million pillows and 750,000 quilts per year right here in Australia – all while supporting a number of other Aussie businesses across each stage of its supply chain. Tontine is a local employer with a longstanding Aussie manufacturing history and incorporates locally sourced raw materials such as the finest quality Australian downs wool into its products.

Self-proclaimed ‘Pillow Nerd’ and Tontine CEO Ian Shannon told Australian Made that the company proudly offers more than 300 types of pillows and quilts that are made with Australian wool, cotton, down as well as recycled polyester. Across a vast range of weights, warmths and sizes – meaning the Tontine range can help you enjoy a better night sleep on a cool night or during Australia’s hot summer. But the Tontine innovation that rings true for hundreds of thousands of Australians is Tontine’s original 100% Aussie Wool Doona®, which skyrocketed in popularity following its inception and is a name that is now synonymous with quilts right around the country.

The company is also incredibly passionate about protecting the environment and sustainability. Each year the company proudly prevents more than 100 million plastic bottles from entering landfill by using recycled polyester in its production process and transitioning to more eco-friendly material packaging options.

When shopping for Australian Made products like Tontine pillows and quilts at the likes of Coles, Big W, Target, Spotlight, Harris Scarfe, Woolworths, Myer and David Jones; you can be sure that you’re doing something positive for Australia, such as supporting a company grounded in the Aussie manufacturing and agriculture industries, giving dollars back to the broader economy and helping generate employment opportunities locally in Australia.

Seasol International

Meet Chief Executive, Alick Osborne and Owner, Lisa Boyd; the Aussie Makers behind Seasol International. A local business producing over 10 million litres of Seasol seaweed solution a year – an illustrious Aussie Made innovation that has grown to become one of the country’s most cherished gardening products.

Seasol’s mission is to inspire people to change the way they grow their food and the way we all green our landscapes. They achieve this everyday by providing home gardeners and farmers in the agriculture sector with organic liquid seaweed and environmentally friendly fertilisers which are made locally in Australia.

Seasol’s product range is proudly made locally across manufacturing in sites In Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia, which are distributed right across Australia. Wherever possible, Seasol aims to support Australian companies by buying Aussie products and using them in their manufacturing process.

Seasol’s seaweed solution helps to stimulate strong root growth and beneficial soil micro-organisms, promoting vigorous flowering and fruiting and overall garden health. Whereas Seasol’s PowerFeed dynamic fertiliser and soil improver products contain active liquid composts which improves soil structure, reducing the loss of nutrients in sandy soils and helping to stimulate flowering and fruiting.

The primary ingredient used in Seasol’s natural, but powerful product range is a unique species of kelp called Durvillaea Potatorum that grows in the cold oceans of around north west Tasmania. This species is not only unique to Seasol’s manufacturing process, but it can be only found in southern Australia.

When shoppers buy Australian Made natural plant tonics from businesses like Seasol, they’re not only supporting a cleaner, greener environment here in Australia – they’re helping to create local jobs in Aussie factories and giving back to Australian Makers.

SupaGarlic

Meet Nick Diamantopoulos, Founder & CEO of Australian Garlic Producers (AGP) – the country’s largest grower and marketer of Australian garlic – operating across more than 700 acres of garlic fields Australia wide. Nick is the brains behind SupaGarlic - an innovative range of dietary supplements made locally with 100% Australian Garlic Oil, providing Australian and overseas consumers with targeted support for general health and well-being.

AGP has developed a range of treatments targeting Immune Support, Congestion Relief, Cardio & Heart Health and Health & Wellbeing. All containing extract made from Australian Grown garlic and a formula of garlic varieties carefully selected by master Horticulturalist and AGP, CEO, Nick Diamantopoulos - chosen for an optimal treatment harnessing the power of the ‘SupaG’ gene found only in pure, high potent garlic oil.

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. 

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.

Rondo Building Services

Since its inception in 1964, Rondo Building Services has been proudly manufacturing a range of light gauge rolled formed steel products and systems locally in Australia, that support the backbone of the country’s building and construction industry.

Originally established by Eric Cuckson as W.E. Cuckson and Sons, trading as Rondo Zipador Pty Ltd and producing metal zippers – this Aussie Maker developed a thermal aluminium foil ceiling system to reduce the heat from the factory roof and improve employee working conditions.

Fast-forward 56 years later and today Rondo is highly regarded throughout the industry as the gold standard for Suspended Ceiling Systems along with Steel Wall Framing Systems, which are manufactured, distributed and installed across Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and the Middle East throughout hotels, educational facilities, office buildings, hospitals, airports, prisons and high-rise residential projects.

As of 2021, Rondo employs over 280 local staff and produces more than 800 SKUs at its Australian based manufacturing facility in Erskine Park, New South Wales, which includes: Steel Stud Drywall Framing System, KEY-LOCK® Concealed Suspended Ceiling System, DUO Exposed Grid Ceiling System, MAXIframe® External Wall Framing System, Plastering Beads and more!

All of Rondo’s Australian Made products carry the famous Australian Made kangaroo logo, are tested to Australia’s high manufacturing and building standards and are manufactured under warranty.

Rondo, Executive General Manager, Greg Thomas says: “Rondo are proud to carry the Australian Made certification, we see this as a badge of honor in the market place and we also see it as giving back to the Australian economy.”

Ugg Since 1974

Meet UGG Since 1974 Directors Todd & Hannah Watts, a third-generation Australian family business handcrafting premium quality Australian sheepskin boots in Queensland, Australia. With more than forty-five years’ experience crafting UGG boots, the UGG Since 1974 heritage dates back to the 1970s, when UGG boots were first innovated in an Australian backyard.

Under the watchful eye of a young sheep classer from the Australian country, it was then that the Ugg Since 1974 bespoke workshop started producing premium quality sheepskin boots and accessories, one piece at a time.

Almost five decades on, their UGG boots continue to be handcrafted from start to finish at their custom built workshop in South East Queensland, where the team works tirelessly to maintain quality workmanship, luxurious comfort and timeless style in each and every pair of UGG boots.

At UGG Since 1974, there are no conveyor belts or mass production of UGG boots. Instead, you’ll find one-of-a-kind leathers, the wooliest of Australian merino sheepskins, and UGG boots being artfully crafted by their talented makers, most of whom have mastered their craft over decades of practice and precision.

UGG Since 1974 Director Todd Watts says: “I think there’s an appetite for local customers to buy locally made sheepskin boots, they get longevity, they get quality and they get reassurance that what they’re buying will last the test of time”.

Crimsafe

Meet Jim Sturgess, Chief Executive of Crimsafe - an Australian company that has focused on keeping people safe in their homes for over 25 years.

Crimsafe security screens were developed from a desire to create security for Australian homes that don’t impede on aesthetic whilst also adding value. The woven, stainless steel security screens are perfect solutions for doors, windows, patio enclosures, balustrades and more – with each piece made to measure.

Whilst Crimsafe products are synonymous with safety, they also work to attenuate heat, prevent embers from bush fires, repel mosquitos and deflect UV rays - Crimsafe security screens are proudly made in Australia, to withstand harsh Australian conditions.

Working with over 2,000 people nationwide, Sturgess said, “When you’re buying Crimsafe security screens, you’re buying home security for Australians, that is made by Australians”.

Today, Crimsafe can be found in hospitals, at train stations and throughout home building projects around Australia.

Polytec

Meet directors Michael and John Borg, the two brothers who are the driving force behind Australian family owned business, Polytec. With over 30 years’ experience crafting premium decorative board and laminate products from sustainably sourced materials, Polytec products can be seen in homes and kitchens around Australia.

Polytec is a proudly Australian-owned business, supporting sustainable practices while employing over 2000 people nationwide. The company’s commitment to Australian manufacturing has been the focus of the organisation for over 3 decades. Through the development of brands from manufacturing services to recycling initiatives, polytec continues to grow in the Australian market.

Through its manufacturing division, Polytec leads the way in the development of decorative surfaces for joinery applications in kitchens, living areas, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes, home offices, furniture, and commercial spaces.

On a daily basis, Polytec strives to foster an eco-friendly and sustainable environment that minimises its environmental footprint. Making products that are long-lasting and low maintenance is central to that. Polytec products are manufactured from managed and renewable plantation pine, and on request, can be purchased as Responsible Wood chain of custody certified. All polytec board products are manufactured from E0 or E1 CUSTOMwood MDF and CUSTOMpine particleboard.

Waste is managed responsibly through recycling programs encompassing aluminium and metals and used oils, while timber waste is recycled back into energy and packaging.

Polytec products proudly carry the coveted Australian Made logo, highlighting the importance of Australian manufacturing and local investment.

D&D Technologies

A family owned business since its establishment in 1989, D&D Technologies is one of the most trusted gate hardware suppliers in the world. Through its innovative products the company revolutionised the safety of children and families around homes, pools, childcare centres and businesses.

The company’s mission – to help families and carers enjoy an outdoor lifestyle with safety and security – is integral to every aspect of its success. CEO of D&D Technologies, David Calabria, says “The continuous goal at D&D is to make the safest and most secure products we can”. Recognising that technology is the future of safety, D&D Technologies strives for a system of continuous improvement, where each product or version is better than the last.

D&D invented magnetic gate latches and polymer gate hinges in the 1990s, and with multi-award-winning products such as the MagnaLatch® Safety Gate Latches and TruClose® Safety Gate Hinges manufactured in its Sydney factory, where over 120 Australians are employed, the company is incredibly proud to carry the Australian Made logo on its products.

Carrying the Australian Made certification to highlight its Aussie credentials, D&D Technologies endeavours to be recognised as one of Australia’s highest-quality manufacturers and innovators and hopes to be an example to other businesses of the success possible when you keep production, therefore quality, on our shores.