New partnership to boost Australian building goods

Two of the nation's top industry representative bodies have partnered up to launch an initiative aimed at increasing the profile of Australian-made building and construction products in the country and abroad.

The partnership between Master Builders Australia (MBA) and Australian Made Campaign was announced last week.

A recent study conducted by Australian market research company, Roy Morgan, found 75 per cent of Australians prefer locally-made building and construction goods.

"Australia’s extremely stringent quality and safety manufacturing standards have helped establish our reputation for well-made products, that last," says Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, Ian Harrison.

"Manufacturers and developers promoting goods as genuinely Australian should leverage country-of-origin branding whenever possible," he says.

Harrison adds the green-and-gold Australian Made logo is recognised by 99 per cent of Australians, and has been found to also increase sales in export markets.

"As a registered certification trade mark it defends the authenticity of Australian goods," he says.

Master Builders Australia Chief Executive, Denita Wawn, says the organisation is proud to be working with the Australian Made Campaign.

"Formalising the longstanding relationship between Master Builders Australia and the Australian Made Campaign demonstrates our commitment to local industry. This initiative will greatly benefit Australian manufacturers and the broader building and construction industries," she says.

"This year’s trade missions and exhibitions will benefit greatly from the powerful message the Australian Made logo conveys," Wawn says.

The Australian Made logo will be central to the branding of Master Builders Australia trade missions and exhibitions to be carried out in 2017/18.

Master Builders Australia has opened its Export Diagnostic Program to businesses who are interested in participating in export promotions. The Program helps companies determine if they have the right tools in place to be successful overseas, and aids in the development of export strategies.

"Leveraging Australia’s excellent reputation via events like these can help grow market share abroad, making businesses far more import-resistant," Wawn says.