By Danielle Kutchel
Born and bred in the City of Casey, Doogood Australia is bringing Australian manufacturing back to the region.
The first-time entrant in the Casey Business Awards, which is a finalist in the Innovation category, has made it its mission to challenge convention and encourage others to manufacture and buy local.
Doogood is a family-owned and run business that specialises in designing, manufacturing, supplying and coating steel and fencing products.
Founder Nathan Jones started the business 15 years ago in Narre Warren.
They’ve now moved to Hallam and Doveton, and Mr Jones said the focus on local was as strong as ever.
He said the community’s support has “been a big part of why we’ve gotten to where we are now”.
According to Mr Jones, for the past decade the industry has relied heavily on imports from Chinese or Malaysian-owned traders – but Doogood’s founder was determined to bring such manufacturing and production back in-house.
One of its biggest innovations is a state-of-the-art powder coating line that has allowed Doogood to manufacture its product here, competing directly with imports in efficiency, speed and cost.
That investment has contributed to record sales and a 20 per cent growth in staff.
“We’re now able to produce things here that for the last 10 years haven’t been possible,” Mr Jones said.
The business has grown significantly since its founding. From a 300-square-metre factory in Narre Warren, its latest facility is over 12,000-square-metres.
They’ve grown from one employee, to about 47.
“We started as powder coating and amalgamated into arguably the largest fencing supplier in Australia,” Mr Jones said.
“We make our own wire and chain mesh for the fencing industry and make a fair majority of all of our panels, from pool fences to high-end security in prisons.
“Business has exceeded my expectations.”
He said entering the Business Awards had forced him to sit back and reflect on the growth the company has experienced.
“You realise you created something special that is beneficial to all the people who work here,” he said.
The winners of the 2021 Casey Business Awards will be announced at a gala event in July.
