Australians seeking Australian products

COVID-19 has put Australian manufacturing into the spotlight again. Government and customers are looking to manufacturers to provide safe harbour. A recent consumer survey showed Australian customers want products that are transparent, trustworthy and in control of their supply chains. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is spruiking Australia's "economic sovereignty" in a post COVID-19 world.

Many Australian businesses were ill-prepared for supply chain risks on this scale. Focussing on cut rate manufacturing to increase organisational bottom line, businesses may have put their, and their customers operations at risk.

They say chance favours the prepared, nowhere more so than in this brave new world.

“People are surprised that all our gear is made in Australia from Australian inputs, especially when they see the price,” said David Hicks of Offsider Ag Equipment.

Since founding the business in 2017, with wife Andrea Brosnan, Mr Hicks has been questioned about choosing to keep manufacturing in Australia.

“We knew from the start Offsider Ag had to be made in Australia. We are keeping jobs in our community, and Australian production gives real time influence over quality. Using Australian steel and local timber keeps us insulated from things like COVID-19.”

“When we looked at business risk, there are things we can’t control, like droughts and fires, but we can control quality and inputs sources.”

Australian manufacturer, Offsider Ag can customise orders and respond to feedback. “We have products like our Stud Sheep Handler and Dairy Calf Handler as a direct result of working with customers to build what they need. It is almost impossible to do that if the manufacturing is overseas.”

Offsider Ag’s decision to be Australian made, designed and owned looks like a savvy business move.

“The over reliance on imports has been exposed by the crisis and governments need to take a long-term view, increasing Australia’s level of manufacturing self-sufficiency,” said Ben Lazzaro, the chief executive of Australian Made Campaign Ltd.

The Australian Made Campaign has urged all levels of government to adopt a “buy Australian first” approach in addressing the country’s manufacturing self-sufficiency and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

David from Offsider Ag is more pragmatic about it, “For as long as people want good gear, made in Australia, for Australian conditions and stock, that’s what we are going to do.”

www.offsiderag.com.au

 

 

Andrea Brosnan