{"id":48166,"date":"2022-03-07T15:13:02","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T04:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=48166"},"modified":"2023-01-11T16:05:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T05:35:26","slug":"podcast-australian-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/podcast-australian-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"Ep47 \u2013 Australian Manufacturing with Blacksmith Camping Supplies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"for-amp wp-block-heading\">Listen to the full episode here:<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-10199899\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t <script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1259564\/10199899.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-10199899&amp;player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-video-popup-wrapper\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-video-popup-close\"><\/div>\n\t\t<iframe class=\"wp-video-popup-video is-hosted is-landscape is-resizable\" src=\"\" data-wp-video-popup-url=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vZwqWZT-USY?autoplay=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay\">\n\t\t<\/iframe>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"for-amp wp-block-heading\">Or watch the video version here:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ep 47 - Australian Manufacturing with Blacksmith Camping Supplies\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vZwqWZT-USY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maybe they used to fight over the TV remote. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe they used to nick food from each other\u2019s plate at the dinner table. Maybe they still call dibs on the front seat of the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sibling antics aside, founders of Blacksmith Camping Supplies Laine and Erin have demonstrated how hard work, collaboration, and a shared love for the great outdoors can foster a successful Australian family business. In this episode of the Snowys Camping Show, we unpack what Australian-made products mean to them. In that, Lauren and Ben query the challenges they\u2019ve faced, the feedback they\u2019ve embraced, and the production process from design to dispatch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Short Cuts:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>00:00 \u2013 Intro<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>00:58 \u2013 Introducing Laine and Erin<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>02:09 \u2013 History<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>04:37 \u2013 Sourcing Aussie-Made Materials<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>07:01 \u2013 Products<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>08:59 \u2013 Machinery and Equipment<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>11:19 \u2013 Blacksmith Camping\u2019s Point of Difference<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>12:14 \u2013 Humble Beginnings<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>14:21 \u2013 A Rapid Progression<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>15:16 \u2013 The First Employee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>17:13 \u2013 When You Know, You Know<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>19:30 \u2013 Challenges<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>20:24 \u2013 New Designs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>21:51 \u2013 Cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>22:45 \u2013 Inspiration from Competitors<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>24:10 \u2013 The Process from Design to Dispatch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>27:21 \u2013 Knock-On Effects<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>31:20 \u2013 Maintenance of Machinery<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>33:32 \u2013 Quality Control<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>35:42 \u2013 The Importance of Aussie-Made<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>37:49 \u2013 What\u2019s on the Horizon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>39:37 \u2013 Find Out More<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mentioned in this Episode:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sites and Pages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snowys Outdoors &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; About Us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Shop All<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Our Materials<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/adelaideannexe.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adelaide Annexe &amp; Canvas &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlacksmithCampingSupplies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/blacksmith_camping_supplies\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies &#8211; Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blacksmith-camping-supplies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snowys Outdoors &#8211; Blacksmith Camping Supplies Brand Page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Blacksmith Camping Supplies Products:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4WD bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/camping-tent-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Camping tent bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\/products\/australian-made-4wd-wheel-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wheel bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-canvas-water-hose-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hose bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-canvas-power-cord-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Power cord bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-clear-top-large-drawer-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drawer \/ storage bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/camp-oven-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Camp oven bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-pipsqueak-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pipsqueak \/ small storage bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-peg-tool-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Peg and tool bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/gift-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gift cards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-sand-peg-tool-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sand peg and tool bags<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-dash-organiser\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dash organisers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Introducing Laine and Erin<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As founders of <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies<\/a>, Laine and Erin are not only brother and sister but the children of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snowys Outdoors<\/a> Director Richard. Outside this interview, Lauren and Ben address Laine as their boss \u2013 but not today! Our podcast hosts take the reins.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>History<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After Snowys was established in Adelaide during the mid-90s, Laine and Erin found they became increasingly familiar with camping, 4WD, and outdoor equipment. Leading up to 2019, the general feedback from customers presented the opportunity for Snowys to supply and stock Australian-made products. This was when Laine and Erin decided to mirror their father\u2019s ambition and create high-quality, Australian-made outdoor gear. In <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">building their own brand<\/a>, they identified an opportunity to control the process from start to finish \u2013 from sourcing material, hardware, and products within Australia, right through to quality control. In this way, they maintain a genuine sense of pride in the production of their <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">canvas camping bags<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sourcing Aussie-Made Materials<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the already limited supply of Australian-manufactured materials, our podcast hosts query how important Laine and Erin considered the sourcing of these, as well as how they approached obtaining the supplies they were satisfied with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a lot of research, Erin can clarify that while Blacksmith Camping seeks Aussie-made <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">materials<\/a>, there\u2019s also a regard for the process they undergo \u2013 for example, canvas interwoven with Queensland-grown cotton. While they\u2019ve been offered canvas materials fabricated offshore, the quality of such is both insufficient for their product purposes and lacks relevance to the harsh Australian conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite Australia\u2019s deficiency in some materials \u2013 like <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">zippers<\/a>, which Erin instead sources from Japan \u2013 Laine confirms that Blacksmith Camping has been relatively lucky within the outdoor industry. As their products are synonymous with the history of the swagman, their roots are Australian and so have had them benefitting from enough supply options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Products<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Blacksmith Camping Supplies stock canvas bags for <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4WDs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/camping-tent-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">camping<\/a>, including those for <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\/products\/australian-made-4wd-wheel-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wheels<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-canvas-water-hose-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hoses<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-canvas-power-cord-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">power cords<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-clear-top-large-drawer-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">general storage<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/camp-oven-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">camp ovens<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-pipsqueak-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">smaller items<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-peg-tool-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tools<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/gift-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more<\/a>. The main construction materials are <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">canvas and PVC<\/a>, with both UV and rot protection. While these are sourced from around Australia, the zippers, Velcro, and some <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hardware<\/a> need to be sourced from overseas. With even their webbing obtained from Victoria, the foundation of Blacksmith Camping\u2019s canvas bags is <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/our-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australian-made<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben reminds those who seek 100% Australian-made products that it\u2019s virtually impossible to achieve this. Most products will boast roughly 80% of Australian materials with the remaining 20% physically unable to be sourced from anywhere other than overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, deeming a product as Australian-made involves covering more factors than the materials alone. Some brands of Australian products may use Australian materials, though their manufacturing takes place offshore. Erin confirms that Blacksmith Camping produce every bag onsite in their humble, Adelaide-based workshop \u2013 with four exceptional sewers operating behind her as she speaks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-1.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a black singlet and bone-coloured cap is hoisting a Blacksmith Camping Supplies canvas bag onto the tray of his Ute.\" class=\"wp-image-48178\" title=\"Blacksmith Camping Supplies stock canvas bags for 4WDs and camping. Credit: Blacksmith Camping Supplies\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-1-10x7.jpg 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Blacksmith Camping Supplies stock canvas bags for 4WDs and camping. Credit: Blacksmith Camping Supplies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Machinery and Equipment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Laine and Erin, the mission around Australian-made products extends past materials to the machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing process \u2013 including repairs and servicing. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pathfinder fabric-cutting machine, requiring two full-time, permanent employees, was sourced from Victoria. Machine operators will service the system physically when they can make it across the border, as well as remote into the machine itself from interstate. Erin sourced her sewing machines from Queensland, and has accepted substantial assistance in their setting up and servicing. That said, her Diploma in Textiles and background in sewing has granted her a profound understanding of the machinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it isn\u2019t their driver, sourcing infrastructure from around Australia is a bonus for the Blacksmith brand. Navigating the equipment has proved a steep learning curve, where the support they\u2019ve received \u2013 even from competitors \u2013 has helped pave the way. Nonetheless, no one pushed harder for the Pathfinder cutting machine than Laine, who in the lead up to its arrival had spent every night flexing his forearms by hand-cutting fabric with scissors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Blacksmith Camping\u2019s Point of Difference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are many, high quality and durability are the two most distinctive brand qualities. Blacksmith Camping develops practical designs that their customers claim to need, acknowledging and understanding their requests for useful products that last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Humble Beginnings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Circling back to Laine\u2019s massive forearms \u2013 Lauren and Ben ask <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">where it all began<\/a>, and at what point the two of them graduated to more efficient equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2019, Laine and Erin huddled into the back room of the Snowys\u2019 Adelaide store to mesh both their love of the outdoors and experience in the industry. With ever-bulging forearms and a single sewing machine, Laine cut the fabric that Erin sewed, producing the first <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith bags<\/a> to sell through Snowys. Their days lasted 12 hours, where 9am-5pm was spent working at Snowys before moving into the backroom for four hours of building their business. This would continue into the weekend too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like Harry Potter\u2019s cupboard under the stairs, their initial cranny of creation served as a test in determining whether this was the industry they wanted to pursue. Beyond their blistered, callused hands, Laine and Erin were still convinced, oblivious that their Blacksmith brand was about to boom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Rapid Progression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With such a substantial progression over the last three years, Laine is grateful for the opportunity to have initially leveraged off Snowys. Access to their customers and demographic not only further enhanced Blacksmith Camping\u2019s brand awareness, but encouraged customer and staff feedback in the interest of future designs and styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The <strong>First Employee<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the business developed, Laine and Erin sought a fulltime sewer who could maintain the ideal level of quality while considering customer demand. Until this point, all roles and responsibilities had been monitored by Laine and Erin to a very particular standard \u2013 so handing over the sewing machine to their first employee was like handing over a newborn baby to a stranger. They were now expected to teach and train, which for Erin meant drawing from her teaching background.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amid planning a wedding, Laine found it a personal challenge to build a team larger than their brother-and-sister-band. That said, hiring staff meant Laine and Erin established a quality control process which allowed them to determine whether more training was required, and which area demanded it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When You Know, You Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was after hiring that first staff member that Laine and Erin established a sense of confidence, dedicating more time to listening to and developing trust with their customers. Their <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies website<\/a> launched in early 2021, from which they now ship products to countries all over the world including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be it receiving a photo from a little girl in Japan happily holding her new bag, to noticing an online order coming in from New York \u2013 the thrill of knowing their product is sought from anywhere overseas is a feeling Laine and Erin can only humbly describe as \u2018pretty cool\u2019. Ultimately, their success has stemmed from identifying a market for bags complementing camping supplies that don\u2019t yet have a storage option, such as sharp <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-sand-peg-tool-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tools<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Initial Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the big benefits brought to you by Blacksmith bags, the initial challenges that Laine and Erin encountered were a small workspace and minimal machinery. One can only manufacture so many bags in a day and, without the adequate cash to fund machinery in the early stages, efficiency was an issue the two of them hoped to improve as their business blossomed. With a greater rate of productivity, time no longer becomes a substantial factor in the cost of production, further helping to maintain low selling prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>New Designs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From designing to dispatching \u2013 Lauren and Ben want to know how Blacksmith Camping identifies a new product opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It starts with the customer. Using their <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">request<\/a> as an aid, Laine and Erin design what they think both aligns best with the current market and what could be well-received. After asking Snowys staff to trial, test, and thrash about in the scrub, they progress these ideas from prototypes to final products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erin expresses how much she loves receiving suggestions from customers via e-mail. A benefit of being a small business is how quickly they can physically respond to a request for an extra feature, such as a pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cost<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What comes first \u2013 the product, or the price?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laine explains the importance of meeting the ideal level of quality and practicality while still prioritising Australian-made materials. In regard to cost, he circles back to efficiency, where prices will simply reflect the effectiveness of the manufacturing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inspiration from Competitors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the instance of their wheel bags, Laine and Erin first sourced five or six from competing brands to establish what works, why they\u2019re popular, and how Blacksmith Camping could produce a better design. Despite having made customer review-based changes over time, the <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\/products\/australian-made-4wd-wheel-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith Camping Supplies wheel bag<\/a> is one of their most successful products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Process from Design to Dispatch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From the initial sketch to the final product \u2013 the complexity of a design determines the overall length of the manufacturing process. In the interest of perfecting its design, a product will usually begin as three or four prototypes. After assessing its overall form, the team move it into the production stage. The entire process lasts between three and four months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cutting machine is operated by a program called Pathfinder that enables an easy, efficient, digital creation of patterns. Considering this, the production aspect of a new design is quick, where most of the time is allocated to determining whether it\u2019s a good fit for the brand and the current market. From the paper, to the calico, and finally to the canvas \u2013 the level of thought devoted to creating a product is greater than a customer may consider, be it the direction of a zipline or the size of a pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Knock-On Effects<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From their exploding success, there have been unavoidable knock-on effects. The Coronavirus, now in its third year, has impacted businesses all over the world on varying points of the scale \u2013 particularly concerning the supply of materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blacksmith Camping fortunately avoided the heavier impacts, launching prior to the peak effects of the virus. With the subsequent increase in travel within our own backyard too, locally-made products became even more attractive to avid 4WD tourers and adventurers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During this period, sourcing supplies from within Australia was even more of an advantage than doing so internationally. Utilising Australian canvas made from cotton grown nationally meant fewer interruptions to border and trade restrictions overseas. That said, the demand for Aussie-made materials was higher and Erin was met with difficulties in obtaining canvas from their usual manufacturer who simply couldn\u2019t fulfill the demand at their usual rate.&nbsp;Ultimately, the challenges they inevitably faced had Blacksmith just as vulnerable as every other business of their kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the rising price of steel proving it no longer viable to sell via retail, Hillbilly Camping Gear has made the tough decision to discontinue selling wholesale. Laine states that Blacksmith can both sell direct to a customer and share profit on their income with Snowys. In the case of Hillbilly, their only option now is to remove the middle man. That said, the high demand for their long lasting, top quality, and quintessentially Australian gear simply reflects the increasing support for Australian manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Maintenance of Machinery<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sewing machine mechanics may be scarce \u2013 but they\u2019re out there, and Erin confirms that Blacksmith have been very lucky! Sewers themselves tend to be hidden gems too, especially when considering who best fits the Blacksmith brand and expectations. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonetheless, local mechanics like <a href=\"https:\/\/adelaideannexe.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adelaide Annexe &amp; Canvas<\/a> \u2013 specialising in caravan awnings \u2013 are always willing to lend a hand, which Laine claims is a true reflection of the outdoor industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quality Control<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve established that Erin and Laine are relatively particular individuals\u2026so it won\u2019t surprise you to know that every finished Blacksmith Camping product is placed on a shelf and reviewed thoroughly before it\u2019s dispatched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From a loose thread to an imperfection in the fabric itself, Erin scans for consistent back-sewing and even stitching. Any bag that fails the first test is sent straight back to the sewers, where products with only minor faults earn their place on the \u2018seconds\u2019 shelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Importance of Aussie-Made<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially, Erin was of the belief that all canvas was the same. After almost three years of sourcing supplies and materials for Blacksmith Camping, she can confirm that the quality of Australian canvas is superior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The construction of offshore canvas tends to skip a few steps, be it bleaching or washing, which can lead to the fabric breaking down or rotting. That said, this doesn\u2019t necessarily deem it poor \u2013 only insufficient for harsh Australian conditions, manufactured instead to suit its local climate. Australian-made canvas features UV resistance and other qualities allowing it to withstand unique Aussie environments \u2013 a hearty fabric that lasts forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, in choosing to purchase Australian-made products, one also chooses to support Australian jobs and the national economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-4.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EP47-Body-Image-4-10x7.jpg 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Australian-made canvas features UV resistance and other qualities allowing it to withstand unique Aussie environments. <\/em><br><em>Credit: Blacksmith Camping Supplies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s on the Horizon?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing to expand the Blacksmith team is a mutual goal for both Laine and Erin. Regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">products<\/a>, they hope for their visions of tool rolls, additional <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/shop-all\/products\/australian-made-dash-organiser\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organisers<\/a>, and jerry can bags to become a reality. With the success of their <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/products\/australian-made-4wd-wheel-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4WD wheel bags<\/a>, the siblings also plan to design a Ute bag for a tray, and a 4WD system where every <a href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/collections\/4wd-bags\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blacksmith bag<\/a> has a place in your boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laine and Erin also hope for more machinery and thus better efficiency, in the interest of continuing to lower their prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Find Out More<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/pages\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\">Contact Us<\/a> page on their website (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blacksmithcamping.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">BlacksmithCamping.com<\/a>), Blacksmith Camping is also active on both <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlacksmithCampingSupplies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/blacksmith_camping_supplies\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>, currently monitored by Laine. Of course, products can also be viewed and purchased through <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blacksmith-camping-supplies\" target=\"_blank\">Snowys Outdoors<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thanks for listening, tune in again for next week\u2019s episode!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for tuning in to this week\u2019s episode of the Snowys Camping Show Podcast. Don\u2019t forget to subscribe to us on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCgpO6k-UyaYgwyLg0ESceCg\">YouTube<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0wy9b822eekXe00bAIqPbX\">Spotify<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/au\/podcast\/snowys-camping-show\/id1527530990\">iTunes<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/db56692e-96e7-418d-929d-88c5fde70b1a\/Snowys-Camping-Show\">Amazon Music<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/269-snowys-camping-show-79675943\/\">iHeartRadio<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pca.st\/z1mx2k64\">Pocket Casts<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/podcastaddict.com\/podcast\/3281467\">Podcast Addict<\/a>, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/s?fid=618483\">Stitcher<\/a>&nbsp;so you never miss an upload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any questions for Ben and Lauren, make sure you head over to our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/snowys\/\">Facebook group<\/a>&nbsp;and let us know as we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Catch you out there!<\/p>\n<div class='watch-action'><div class='watch-position align-left'><div class='action-like'><a class='lbg-style1 like-48166 jlk' href='javascript:void(0)' data-task='like' data-post_id='48166' data-nonce='12ff46ed16' rel='nofollow'><img class='wti-pixel' src='https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/wti-like-post\/images\/pixel.gif' title='Liked it' \/><span class='lc-48166 lc'>2<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div> <div class='status-48166 status align-left'><\/div><\/div><div class='wti-clear'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The founders of Blacksmith Camping Supplies Laine and Erin have demonstrated how hard work and a shared love for the outdoors can foster a successful Australian family business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1638,"featured_media":48181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1570,1569,1572,854],"tags":[1245,1242,1243,958,1240,1241,1239,1236,196,1244,1238],"class_list":["post-48166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast-4wd","category-podcast-camping","category-podcast-caravan","category-podcast","tag-4wdbags","tag-aussiemade","tag-aussiemanufacturing","tag-australian-made-gear","tag-australianmade","tag-australianmadematerials","tag-australianmanufacturing","tag-blacksmith","tag-camping","tag-canvasbags","tag-supplies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48166"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52241,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48166\/revisions\/52241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}