Aussie start-up exporting to the US
Local firm does the unthinkable – manufacturing affordable auto carpet products in high-cost AustraliaAustralia is kissing goodbye to its sophisticated automotive manufacturing industry, but there's still room for some form of automotive production in this country.
Just ask James Tinsley, Director of 'Fit My Car', an aftermarket parts manufacturer, distributor and retailer.
Based in Ravenhall, west of Melbourne, Fit My Car is producing and marketing automotive mats to compete with rival products sourced from lower-cost labour markets overseas. The key to this is a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine recently purchased by the company, with a grant worth $42,000 received through the Victorian government's Future Industries Manufacturing Program. Essentially, the CNC machine reduces labour costs to zilch.
Tinsley expects the acquisition – and the relatively weaker Aussie dollar – will open up export markets, and places Fit My Car in a viable position to sell its locally-manufactured products in North America. Currently Fit My Car is developing a host of new patterns to suit cars sold in the USA and expects to launch there before the end of this year.
"We are confident that with our new facilities and machinery we can successfully launch into the USA market, manufacturing right here in Australia and be able to keep up with demand," says Tinsley.
In a strategy that flies in the face of the modern mass-production assembly line method, Fit My Car makes mats on demand, reducing the cost of maintaining inventory and local customers will receive their new mats within 3-5 working days of placing an order.
"Our new cutting machine means we can be super responsive to order levels, scaling up and down production volumes each day."
The company holds more than 1000 patterns on file and claims it can manufacture custom-made mats for the vast majority of cars available in Australia today. Not only does the company manufacture and sell carpet mats, it also markets custom-made dash mats, boot liners, ute tray mats and plastic protectors.
"Everything we sell through Fit My Car comes with a fitment guarantee as well as free shipping and returns. We only sell top quality products that are make and model specific, we are excited about expanding this range in the future."
Pictured: James Tinsley (left) with Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment, Wade Noonan
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