Every day it seems like more and more of what we buy here in Australia is made overseas -most commonly in China.
While sometimes it may sometimes feel like we no longer make anything in Australia anymore there are exceptions to the rule which give us hope and remind us that our manufacturing sector is doing amazing, world leading, important work.
In recent weeks the story about Littlehampton Bricks sending pavers to be used in Disneyland Shanghai has gained exposure via numerous media outlets including: TV, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines, online publications and more.
So just how did Littlehampton Bricks and Pavers manage to secure such a prestigious contract?
It began around March of 2013 when a concept architect made contact via email expressing interest in our asking about dimensions and price. At first glance it was hard to tell just how serious the inquiry was as it is a common occurrence to get emails from China which rarely come to fruition..
Following the first email it became very clear that the interest was real when the concept architect started calling from China for more information!
What followed was an on-going back and fourth discussion between and the Disneyland representatives in China. Many brick makers both in Australia and elsewhere may have had the potential to provide the pavers for the contract, however it was the flexibility and determination which eventually saw the contract going to a smaller . The designers wanted to be able to have specific colours and patterns. Here's a picture of 20 different specially made samples which were sent to China in May earlier this year:
20 special samples about to be sent to Shanghai (May, 2014)
Wayne Hunter (sales manager and man who's persistence ultimately secured the Disneyland Contract) Had this to say in a recent interview with : "We are making a in three different colours". "They are different sizes to our standard clay bricks.. They asked us to make a smaller paver to fit in with the intricate patterns".
Following further correspondence and lengthy planning and negotiations it finally came time to seal the deal, but it wasn't going to be easy..
To do so Wayne Hunter and Mark Fiora (Owner of Littlehampton Bricks) had to fly to Shanghai in September 2014 to meet with the Disneyland landscape designers and finalise the contract. With Wayne's can do attitude and new catchphrase "Anywhere for a sale!" the visit went well and they were able to receive the good news of securing the contract!
Wayne at Adelaide Airport before the flight
Wayne with Wilson Qiu in Shanghai
The rest -as they say- is history!
The contract to supply pavers was confirmed and it was another success for Adelaide Hills Business competing on the world stage proving the motto once and for all:
"YES WE CAN!"
Following the securing of the contract we were then asked by the designers to help come up with potential pattern ideas. Here's some pattern mockup ideas that were set up as potential options:
All in all it has been a great experience for our team and another example of how working hard, providing quality products and being flexible can overcome the odds and compete with much larger companies all over the world from right here in Adelaide.
FULL ARTICLE AT: www.littlehamptonbrick.com.au