A Brand, A Region, A Milestone: Meet the First Businesses to Adopt Australian Made in Riverina Murray
Business NSW Riverina Murray is proud to celebrate a significant milestone for the Australian Made in Riverina Murray brand, with the first two businesses officially adopting the regional manufacturing mark at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
The adoption by Kotzur and Halocell Energy marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the initiative, which was created to recognise and promote the quality, innovation and capability of products made across the Riverina Murray.
For the first time, businesses are proudly displaying the Australian Made in Riverina Murray brand, giving customers, suppliers and industry partners a clear way to identify products manufactured in our region and helping raise the profile of one of the country's most capable manufacturing communities.
As the first business to officially display the brand, Kotzur is setting the benchmark for what the initiative represents. For more than 70 years, the Walla Walla-based manufacturer has been designing, engineering and manufacturing products that support industries across Australia, making it a fitting inaugural adopter of the brand.
Regional Director Riverina Murray, Serena Hardwick, said seeing the brand showcased publicly for the first time was a proud moment for the region.
"Kotzur is a strong example of regional manufacturing excellence. As the first business to officially use the brand, Kotzur represents the depth of capability, history and innovation that exists across the Riverina Murray."
Ms Hardwick said the adoption of the brand by Halocell Energy further demonstrated the breadth and strength of manufacturing across the region.
"Halocell's adoption of the brand also demonstrates the future-facing nature of our manufacturing sector. The Riverina Murray is home to businesses that are not only producing for Australian conditions but also developing technologies with national and global relevance."
For Andrew Kotzur, Co-Owner and Managing Director of Kotzur, being the first business to adopt the brand was an opportunity to showcase the manufacturing capability that exists throughout the region.
"Kotzur has been manufacturing in Walla Walla for more than 70 years, so being the first business to adopt the Australian Made in Riverina Murray brand is something we're incredibly proud of. Manufacturing locally has always been an important part of who we are and this initiative gives us another opportunity to showcase the capability that exists right here in our region."
Mr Kotzur said the value of manufacturing locally extended well beyond the products themselves.
"For us, being made locally is about much more than where a product is manufactured. It means employing local people, developing skills and apprentices, supporting other regional businesses and suppliers, and continuing to invest in manufacturing capability here in the Riverina. There is an enormous amount of knowledge, innovation and capability in regional Australia, and we're proud that products designed, engineered and manufactured by our team in Walla Walla are being supplied to customers across Australia."
Founder and CEO of Halocell Energy, Paul Moonie, said the new brand reflects the reality of advanced manufacturing taking place in regional Australia.
"For Halocell, made in Riverina Murray is the difference between talking about advanced manufacturing and doing it. Our flexible perovskite modules are developed and printed in the Riverina. That means equipment on the factory floor, skilled local jobs, Australian know-how, and supply chains we can build, own and control."
The launch of the Australian Made in Riverina Murray brand is about more than recognising individual businesses. It is about creating a shared identity for manufacturers across the region and building greater awareness of the products, expertise and innovation that exist within the Riverina Murray.
These first adopters represent an important milestone in that journey. As more businesses join the initiative, the brand will help strengthen local procurement, showcase regional manufacturing capability and reinforce the Riverina Murray's reputation as a place where world-class products are made.
Business NSW Riverina Murray looks forward to welcoming more manufacturers to the Australian Made in Riverina Murray brand and continuing to celebrate the businesses that proudly make, innovate and invest in our region.