R.M.Williams opens second workshop, brings wallet-making in-house

Clothing and boot business R.M.Williams has increased its production capacity by 90 per cent with the official opening of a second workshop at its factory.

According to a statement on Monday from the company’s owner, Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s investment vehicle Tattarang, the new 20,000 square metre facility increases the manufacturing and distribution footprint in northern Adelaide to 29,500 square metres in total.

It is located near R.M.Williams’s Frost Road bootmaking site, which has been the company’s home since 1972. 

“We bought this iconic business five years ago with a promise to invest in Australia and to bring more manufacturing back onshore,” said Andrew Forrest.

“Fast forward five years and I’m proud to say we are delivering on that promise. This new facility strengthens our commitment to keeping Australian manufacturing alive and thriving. 

Part of the workshop was acquired 24 months ago, Tattarang said. The transition of manufacturing lines is now complete, and the rest of the building, dubbed Bushman’s Base has now been acquired. 

Approximately 600 attended the opening.

“This expansion is about creating jobs, passing on skills and making sure every pair of RM boots is a piece of homegrown excellence,” added Andrew Forrest.

Bushman's Base hosts craft and clothing workshops plus R.M.Williams’s boot repair operation, which receives and repairs approximately 30,000 pairs of boots annually.

It also introduces “a dedicated leather wallet production line”, which brings this craft “in-house for the first time”, and “underscoring R.M.Williams’ commitment to local manufacturing and preserving traditional craftsmanship.”

Tattarang, run by Forrest and ex-wife Nicola, also owns hat maker Akubra, as well as energy, agrifood and property holdings.  

Picture: supplied

Further reading

R.M.Williams brings back locally made moleskins

Andrew Forrest adds Akubra to R.M. Williams

RM Williams and Waverly Mills launch Australian made picnic blanket

Andrew Forrest buys bootmaker R.M. Williams