Home run

Given the uncertainties of global geopolitics and economics, it’s perhaps no surprise that product manufactured on the home front continues to be a focus in the window furnishings sector, with recent developments underscoring the trend. 

BM Blinds

Michelle Macready, Sales Manager at BM Blinds, sums up the impact of one of those developments; the Blind Manufacturers Association of Australia (BMAA)’s partnership with the Australian Made campaign.

Macready says: “At BM Blinds, we have been proudly manufacturing and wholesaling Australian Made internal blinds since 1987. Now with the BMAA partnering with the Australian Made Campaign as an industry partner, it highlights the shared commitment to continuing to foster Australian manufacturing in our industry.

“BM Blinds has been a member of the BMAA since 2010. The announcement of the association partnering with the Australian Made campaign aligns perfectly with BM Blinds strategy of combining quality, excellence, and service to the window furnishings industry.

“As part of our devotion to Australian Made products, BM Blinds has been part of the Australian Made club for well over 10 years and our customers have reaped the benefits. Our customers can retail blinds to their consumers, highlighting the fact that they are supporting Australian manufacturing and promising them a quality blind with super-fast turnaround times.

“Our blinds are all made by dedicated staff who specialise in the style of blind they manufacture. BM Blinds has a training program that ensures the blinds are custom made to suit the retail clients’ requirements.

“BM Blinds wholesales a variety of roller, panel, and vertical blinds together with segmented curtains. The segmented curtain market has continued to increase over the past four years as soft furnishings have dominated Australian home interiors.

“The soft curtain look, coupled with the ability to tilt the vanes to diffuse light within the room, has made segmented curtains a clear favourite for Australian homes.

“With an ever increasing range of fabric designs and colours, the free-flowing nature of segmented curtains has made this style a popular choice for living and bedroom areas. As Australians, we tend to utilise the indoor and outdoor areas of our homes as extensions to our dining and living areas, the walk-through nature of segmented curtains means you don’t need to open and close the shade, you simply walk right through.

“Being Australian made is just the start. The company is fully equipped with state-of-the-art machinery coupled with dedicated manufacturing staff to produce internal blinds that are simply second to none. In addition, we have a caring customer service team who are truly dedicated to assisting clients to get the best possible outcome for each job.”

Luxsol

Luxsol started Australian operations in 2021 after over 20 years manufacturing experience overseas. Luxol Director Megan Wu tells WFA the experience gained avoided many mistakes made when setting up a manufacturing facility for PVC shutters.

“It would be easy to buy pre-drilled inserts for stiles, but the finished product would not be as robust or aesthetically pleasing. It would be easy to screw the product together but that would not be as strong as a true mortise and tenon join and it would be easy to not fit hinges and wrap the finished product in a plastic bag, but that would not make it easy for installers and would lead to transport damage.”

She says that Luxsol did not take any shortcuts setting up manufacturing in its factory in Sydney. It invested in state of the art CNC machinery that provides incredible precision and as the order goes directly to the machine, avoids data input errors. 

“We know a lot of errors can be made transferring customer information to other order systems so we made sure what the customer has ordered goes directly to our computerised machinery,” says Wu.

Luxsol also solved the issue of transport damage by using air-cell packaging that after use can be recycled, reducing single use packaging.

Director Cassie Yang explains: “We wanted to offer reassurance to our customers and demonstrate the material we use is free from any harmful substances, so we submitted our material to Internationally recognised testing and have obtained a Reach certificate for our PVC”. 

Wu concludes that, “After everything was in place we applied to use the Australian Made logo with confidence. No other PVC shutter we are aware of manufactured locally can boast such pedigree”.

“Over recent years there has been a notable shift to PVC, however many PVC products are over specified, which compromises the performance of the shutter due to the weight with panels dropping when opened. Luxsol provide realistic specifications on their Poly100AU product.

“Luxsol gives retailers the opportunity to piggyback their status as a certified Australian Made manufacturer and use the Australian Made logo in their marketing. 

“With supply chain challenges, the annual pre-Christmas rush, early cut-off dates, the upcoming disruption of Chinese New Year and the fall in value of the Australian dollar, it makes sense to buy Australian Made. 

“Not only is the product available in a three-week lead time, it offers all the options of an imported product, like sliding systems and infills for corner and bay windows. All this can help improve a business’s cash flow and provide the opportunity to sell at a higher price due with the benefit of quicker delivery. “Some of our customers present Poly100AU as a Quick-Ship option for their customers, with a premium price,” Yang says.

Luxsol also offers an imported shutter range with Poly100, Nexus50, Durawood100 and Woodland100 being the other products in the Luxsol range. 

Blinds by Peter Meyer

“In the heart of Australian manufacturing, Blinds by Peter Meyer has been a stalwart presence since 1987, creating a legacy of in-house excellence for the trade,” says Managing Director Simon Meyer. “Nestled in the thriving industry of window furnishings, the company boasts a comprehensive range of products, from fabric Blinds encompassing Roller, Roman, Panel, and Skylight Blinds to Poly Venetians, custom and pre-painted Timber Venetians, and exclusive collections like the Simply Natural Woven Blinds and the ethereal Shangri-la Sheer Shading Blinds.

One of the distinctive features of Blinds by Peter Meyer is its meticulous in-house manufacturing process, says Meyer. “The skilled labour force, with an impressively low turnover and many employees dedicated for 15-25 years, ensures that each product is a testament to their expertise. This highly trained team handles everything, from crafting Somfy Glydea Motorised Curtain Tracks and Silent Gliss premium Curtain Tracks and Roller Blinds to manufacturing Solare Teknica Exterior Roller Blinds. Their robust partnership with Somfy empowers them to motorise any product in-house, offering a level of customisation that sets them apart in the market.”

With this skill, knowledge and its local facilities, Blinds by Peter Meyer can offer more customised products than most, he says. He adds that a cornerstone of its offerings is the ability to produce custom-painted or custom-stained Cedar Venetians and Natural Woven Blinds, showcasing a clean finish achieved through on-site spray painting booths and meticulous craftsmanship. 

Meyer observes: “Blinds by Peter Meyer proudly stands as one of the last remaining manufacturers in Australia to produce locally custom-made and custom-painted Cedar Venetians.

“As the global landscape shifted during the pandemic, the demand for Australian-made products witnessed a notable surge. However, Blinds by Peter Meyer acknowledges that the market is gradually reverting to pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, a standout resurgence has been witnessed in the sales of Roman Blinds, especially the popular and exclusive to Blinds by Peter Meyer, Urban Weave Roman Blinds, which continue to captivate consumers.

Meyer says that in venturing into the Curtain Track market through a partnership with Silent Gliss a few years back, Blinds by Peter Meyer experienced a significant uptick in sales and is still seeing growth in this area. This expansion includes premium Roller Blinds, new Metropole and Metroflat – 30mm round +36mm flat Curtain Rods, and innovative Curtain Track profiles including the new release black range of Tracks and components. 

“While there has been a decline in the desire for imported products, the company strategically offers German-manufactured Weinor exterior products and the Simply Cell range, both hailing from regions with resilient consumer confidence,” Meyer adds.

“Underscoring our commitment to local manufacturing, Blinds by Peter Meyer has made substantial investments over the past few years. The introduction of a state-of-the-art XY plotting table for cutting fabrics has drastically increased production efficiency, enabling the company to take on larger volume commercial projects. The Homebush factory has also undergone expansion, and manufacturing processes have been restructured to accommodate the sustained growth witnessed over the past few years.”

Meyer says that in the face of challenges such as rising raw material costs post-pandemic, manufacturing costs in Sydney versus other parts of the country, and escalating transport expenses, Blinds by Peter Meyer remains resilient. He adds that the company recognises that the primary challenge lies in securing skilled labour, a testament to the niche roles within the industry. In response, leaders have explored inventive avenues, tapping into various government programs to find the right talent.”

“With a keen eye on succession planning, Blinds by Peter Meyer ensures knowledge transfer by having new office staff work closely with experienced team members. Despite the industry-wide struggle to find skilled labour, the company’s enduring workforce and commitment to quality and efficiency position them as a beacon in the competitive landscape.”

“As the call to support locally manufactured products and jobs resonates more loudly, Blinds by Peter Meyer is poised to continue its journey of crafting excellence, acknowledging that the key to success lies in a delicate balance of efficiency, quality, and competitive pricing.”

Ozroll Industries

Ryan Charvetto, National sales and marketing manager at Ozroll Industries, tells WFA that in an era dominated by global markets and mass production, “the choice to support locally made products carries immense significance.” 

“As a manufacturer of outdoor blinds, roller shutters, plantation shutters, and aluminium louvres, we understand the pivotal role that conscientious consumer choices play in shaping the future of our industry and the environment. At Ozroll Industries, we take pride in our commitment to producing high-quality solutions, and we want to shed light on the paramount importance of buying Australian-made products, especially those crafted with eco-friendly materials like our innovative LocALaluminium for our Elipso Louvres. 

He says that one of the primary advantages of opting for Australian-made products is the direct support provided to local industries. 

“By choosing our outdoor blinds, roller shutters, plantation shutters, and aluminium louvres, consumers contribute to the growth and sustainability of Australian businesses. This support transcends the economic realm, fostering a sense of community and reinforcing the connection of local businesses. In turn, this has a ripple effect on employment opportunities, ensuring that skilled workers in our communities thrive.”

“Crucially, our commitment to using locally sourced aluminium and the introduction of LocALaluminium for our Elipsolouvres reflects our dedication to environmental responsibility. The production of LocALaluminium involves significantly fewer emissions compared to traditional aluminium manufacturing methods, aligning with the global push for sustainable practices. This conscious choice not only reduces our carbon footprint but also sets a benchmark for other manufacturers to embrace environmentally friendly alternatives.”

Beyond supporting local economies and minimising environmental impact, the decision to purchase Australian-made products is a testament to the uncompromising quality and craftsmanship inherent in Ozroll outdoor solutions, Charvetto says. 

“When customers choose our blinds, shutters, and louvres, they are investing in products that are designed to withstand the harsh Australian climate while adding aesthetic value to their homes. This commitment to excellence is a point of pride for us as manufacturers, and it ensures that customers receive durable, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing solutions for their outdoor spaces.

“As we navigate a world that increasingly values sustainability and responsible consumption, the importance of buying Australian-made products becomes more apparent. The choice to invest in outdoor blinds, roller shutters, plantation shutters, and aluminium louvres from Ozroll Industries is a choice for quality, community, and the environment. It is a choice that resonates with the values of conscious consumers who understand the impact of their decisions on both a local and global scale.

“By embracing Australian-made products like ours, consumers contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future,” says Charvetto. 

“Together, we can foster a thriving local economy, reduce our environmental footprint, and enjoy the enduring quality of outdoor solutions crafted with care and commitment. The time has come to make choices that align with our values and choosing Ozroll products is a step towards a better, more responsible future for us all.”