Feature Australian Made Interface celebrates 50 Years of local manufacturing

As a global leader in commercial flooring solutions, Interface recently celebrated 50 years of local manufacturing here in Australia. Interface’s factory located in Minto, Southwestern Sydney, manufactures carpet tiles that are supplied across Australia and New Zealand.

For Interface, encouraging their customers to buy local means not only supporting their own people, but in turn, the wider community and economy. The company’s investment in its local community began back in the 1970s, when Heuga, which eventually became the Interface that we know today, opened its first manufacturing plant in Picton, NSW. After growing and prospering there for 40 years, the business experienced a damaging factory fire in 2012 and was forced to shut down local operations.

Faced with a critical decision for the future of their company, Interface chose to reinvest in Australia. Relocating to Minto in 2014, they were able to continue their local manufacturing capabilities thanks to the confidence and support of their community.

Australian Made

Buying local and supporting Australian manufacturers has never been more important. After three years of uncertainty surrounding international supply and trade, the re-emergence of our national manufacturing industry serves as a reminder, to the flooring sector in particular, the unmatched quality of locally made products.

Beyond quality, the benefits of buying local are being recognised increasingly by Australian consumers, and the necessity for an accessible workforce has led to significant growth in local employment opportunities.

Not only does this contribute to investment in the local community, but consumers are also afforded the assurance of genuine and ethical labour. Australian guidelines and regulations ensure locally made products adhere to strict standards and an ethical manufacturing process.

The environmental benefits of buying local

For Interface, there are many added and longterm benefits from local manufacturing in the role it plays in its commitment to improving our environment. Creating and distributing products within a domestic market makes for a significant decrease in the carbon emissions generated, as opposed to those generated by importing goods from abroad.

Everything we do from sourcing raw materials, through our entire manufacturing process and up to the installation, usage, and maintenance of finished product, is now carbon neutral.”

Productive local communities and reconciliation

As part of Interface’s enduring commitment to sustainability, they have established a strong appreciation of their role in contributing to not only a healthy natural environment, but also productive communities. A key component of this is their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Interface’s vision for reconciliation is for all Australians to value and learn from the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live - embracing the history and cultural significance of First Nations peoples while contributing to a sustainable future.

Trish McCann, Marketing Director for ANZ explains: “By seeking to understand and learn from our First Nations people, and importantly developing strategies together, we will connect in ways we haven’t before –driving our businesses and communities to innovate and collaborate for positive change.” web www.interface.com

By choosing to support our community and economy, Interface is contributing to positive and sustainable change for all Australians, ensuring local industry continues to thrive.

By sourcing over 50% of its raw materials locally, Interface reduces emissions through lower fuel use by transporting these materials and products over shorter distances.

Aidan Mullan, Sustainability Manager for Interface Australian & New Zealand adds, “As another first for the flooring industry, we have just announced we are a Carbon Neutral Enterprise – both globally and locally.