Farage clinches exclusive with Oroton

Suiting Specialist Farage has combated slower retail growth throughout 2009 by increasing business in its corporate uniform design and manufacturing division.

Co-owner of the suit and shirt company Joe Farage said corporate sales had grown by 20 per cent over the past year.   

“With the changes in the retail environment and some uncertainty in the short-term economy, we felt it was imperative to solidify the brand’s positioning in the market,” he said.

“Whilst growth is tough in an operating environment such as this, we have achieved growth in our corporate division to sustain revenue in what has been a slower retail market.”

Farage has just completed a corporate contract for Oroton Group, with new uniforms for its Australian and New Zealand retail staff scheduled to drop in November. The fixed-term contract will see approximately 300 staff fitted out with apparel.

“We were invited by Oroton to pitch to them earlier this year,” Farage said. “From there the design and development process took around four months.”

Male staff will wear merino wool trousers and 100 per cent Egyptian cotton shirts, while women will be fitted with cotton and viscose blend dresses and tops and merino wool trousers. Each item is black, serving as a neutral base for Oroton accessories and scarves.

Farage produces all of its apparel in Australia, allowing corporate clients to order smaller minimum quantities.

“For example, with Oroton coming into the busy Christmas period, we can get uniform supplied in a matter of weeks to cater for additional staffing hire, whereas many offshore competitors would require large minimums and long lead times of eight to 12 weeks plus,” Farage said.

The company is in discussions with a number of organisations for further contracts across the fields of sport, banking, hospitality and tourism.

Other clients include the Sydney Swans football team, Gucci, Mont Blanc, Macquarie Bank and Merivale Group.

Launched in 1998, Farage has six retail stores across NSW and Victoria and an online store. It also produces corporate gifts including company branded ties and cufflinks.