NATIONAL: Textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) businesses across Australia will shortly be splashing the cash after the federal government handed out $2.6 million in funding last week.
The grants, issued in round four of the government’s TCF Small Business Program, provide a total of $25 million in funding over a 10-year period to TCF businesses seeking to improve their business enterprise culture.
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr, whose department is responsible for administering the grants, said the application process had been very competitive with more than 250 applications received from TCF companies.
New South Wales companies received the lion’s share of the funds, accounting for 29 of the 68 successful applications, faring slightly better than Victoria, which had 15 successful applications.
Queensland projects rated third with 10 projects being allocated $381,540 worth of funds. Only 14 projects in the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia struck it rich, receiving grants of around $414,185 between them.
Marketing appeared to be a key concern for a number of applicants, among them St Kilda company Salinger International and Victorian street and surfwear company Deft Division.
Kensington company Deft, which received $37,500, aims to use the grant to “work with advisers” on export and marketing strategies, specifically for the US market.
“It involves networking, the appointment of a US sales agent and participation at a surfwear trade show in 2010 with a view to increasing sales in that market,” the company said.
Likewise, e-retailing seems to be a key focus for many TCF companies with Pebble Wear, Empire Rose, Life With Bird, Pallas Bride and Fashion, Nadiele Kolb and Natural Sports & Resorts among those putting their allocated funds towards improving their e-commerce systems.
The list of other successful applicants included New South Wales label Romance was Born, which received $44,000 to streamline its production processes and gain greater control over inventory.
Meanwhile Gary Bigeni received $27,500 to make operational and business improvements, including coaching and mentoring.
Under the conditions of the scheme, the largest amount offered to any company is $50,000 and this was awarded to 11 companies – including Brigid McLaughlin, Tyvall, Fragile, Sonya Hopkins, Jiva Clothing, Maiocchi, Sacha Drake, KA Corser and TS O’Malley, Colette Foubert and Nundle Woollen Mill – for projects ranging from a review of business systems through to market research.
The smallest project approved was for Caringbah company Minappi, which was issued with $10,964 to upgrade its website. Senator Carr said the program helped TCF small businesses to become more agile, innovative and entrepreneurial.
Allocated funds will be staggered over the course of the project period, however all monies must be spent by June 30, 2010.
To be considered for the scheme, eligible companies had to have fewer than 20 employees and manufacture or design their product in Australia. Applications from companies that received assistance under the Structural Investment Program (SIP) were deemed ineligible.