Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams has just cut the ribbon to a new local factory in Adelaide’s Northern Suburbs, tripling the brand’s local production capacity.
The new 20,000 square metres facility takes R.M.Williams’ manufacturing and distribution footprint in Adelaide to 29,500, which is almost twice the size of Adelaide Oval.
The facility was formally opened by Dr Andrew Forrest AO, the co-owner of Tattarang, which owns the R.M. Williams alongside other investments.
Located alongside the Frost Road bootmaking site – the home of R.M.Williams since 1972 – a portion of the new workshop building was secured 24 months ago. The transition of manufacturing lines is now complete, and the rest of the building has been acquired.
According to Tattarang, the final stage of the expansion will see the company’s distribution centre relocated to the same site, bringing manufacturing and distribution together under one roof.
This milestone comes five years after Tattarang purchased R.M.Williams from a consortium of investors, including L Catterton, which is part of the LVMH group. Since the acquisition in 2020, R.M.Williams has reportedly created more than 350 new jobs and invested in significant equipment upgrades.
More than 600 team members attended the facility opening.
The 20,000 square metre workshop was officially named Bushman’s Base, following a final vote by R.M.Williams employees. The name is said to reflect the brand’s heritage, values and connection to the local community.
Bushman’s Base will cover craft and clothing workshops, as well as a boot repair service, where up to 30,000 pairs of boots are received annually from around the globe to be restored and resoled by South Australian craftspeople.
The workshop also introduces a dedicated leather wallet production line, bringing this specialist craft in-house for the first time. Wallets will be handcrafted in Adelaide by skilled artisans trained in new techniques.
Dr Forrest said the new workshop opening means Tattarang has met its promise to invest in Australia and to bring more manufacturing back on-shore.
“This new facility strengthens our commitment to keeping Australian manufacturing alive and thriving,” Dr Forrest said. “This expansion is about creating jobs, passing on skills and making sure every pair of RM boots is a piece of homegrown excellence.”
Dr Forrest’s wife Nicola Forrest (pictured) added that the home of RMs has always been and will always be in South Australia.
“There is immense pride in knowing the world’s best boots are still made right here in Salisbury — by Australians, for the world. That tradition of craftsmanship and place is what makes R.M.Williams so special, and it will always remain at the heart of this company.”
Meanwhile, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the expansion is a vote of confidence in the state’s people, in their skills, their creativity and their ability to deliver quality products to customers around the globe.