In 2009, Pacific Brands made a controversial move. The major Australian company was planning on moving its manufacturing overseas, meaning 2000 worker employed under the Bonds clothing brand were to lose their jobs.
From this tumultuous time came a brilliant idea – with Bonds overseas, there was a gap in the market for Australian-owned undergarments, and Lisa was determined to fill that.
To do this, she went to the very company who made her mother redundant and bought sewing machines off them. She also hired back other redundant Bonds staff along with her mother to set up her own factory in Western Sydney. She named this company Tuffys & Tuffetts.
Seven years onwards, the brand makes strong online sales, however there have been challenges in getting her brand into bricks-and-mortar stores. As it’s an Australian-owned brand employing Australians, Lisa understands this means her costs will be higher than overseas manufacturing, which can be a deterrent for bricks-and-mortar stores struggling with sales compared to their online competitors.
Lisa with her mother in the Tuffys factory. Source: Supplied
“There’s a lot of stipulations that they have in place, for example, cost price was one of them, obviously prices are going to be higher than made offshore.”
Cost prices weren’t the only issue Lisa faced.
Manufacturing in Australia raises the cost price of the end product. Source: Supplied
“The biggest thing was advertising. You sort of get this perception that once the retailer has that then they’re doing all this to push it for you and for them.”
She expected more support from Australian stores, but hopes more retailers focus on quality over price.
“We are Australian made, we’re accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia, so they know we meet all the standards. And consumers do want to support Australian businesses and help Australian families.”
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