Iconic Australian brand Driza-Bone has confirmed major changes for the company going forward.
The local label, known for its Australian-made oilskin coats and jackets, has revealed it will shut-down its Slacks Creek manufacturing facility in favour of outsourcing to other manufacturing outlets.
Driza-Bone expects the transition to be complete in four to five months, with 14 Driza-Bone employees at the Slacks Creek facility to be made redundant as a result of the decision.
Despite this, Driza-Bone executive director Mark Mackinnon has stressed that manufacturing for the brand will stay onshore, with only local businesses, including DNA Manufacturing, contracted to manufacture Driza-Bone’s Australian made range.
“It’s been a very hard decision as it impacts on a long serving and hardworking workforce, [but] all Driza-Bone employees will be paid their full entitlements,” he said.
“DNA Manufacturing will be contracted to manufacture some of our iconic Australian made oilskin coats and jackets. DNA will also be licensed to offer Driza-Bone’s custom made corporate coat business to Australian and international businesses.”
Mackinnon also reiterated that Driza-Bone will continue to offer its range of Australian made oilskin products.
The change will see Driza-Bone focus more on the “sales end” of the brand, with local businesses to employ their own teams to manufacture the Driza-Bone coats.
Going forward Driza-Bone will continue its expansion via concept stores in regional independents, 14 of which have been launched within the past four months.
Mackinnon said he believes that the shift will also have a positive effect, in the fact that the number of people employed will be determined by the demand generated.