Monday, October 24, 2011

made in australia interview - hanks jam



Todays interview was so enlightening. I have been thinking on the one concept the whole week. 
"it has to have a commercial application" 
if you need volume as most people manufacturing do the conundrum is always how to get there? retailers, online, niche business or one great big business that has to have your product...we are in the very painful & extended  long long and still long process of an amazing new product. This week we have been thinking what is our commercial application... 

what's yours



Would you like to share a little of the hanks jam story? 
Hank started making jam in 1993 making his own Rich Orange Marmalade for breakfast customers in the inner city Sydney restaurant in which he was working others became interested and so the business grew
Why did you decide on
Australian made? 

Supporting Australian growers when we can. Preference is always with Aussie grown.
 Did you look into manufacturing overseas also?
 

Yes but are keeping pretty busy here in Brookvale with Local market and export but may have to set up a production facility for our tropical range in the future.

Can you describe the process of idea to first samples? Was the learning curve steep.. 
always a challenge and always a series of tests, experiments and re cooks. 1 in 10 go into production. It has to have A commercial application because manufacturing here in Australia is expensive.

What would you do differently if you did it again

Invest in more machinery earlier.
The best thing about
Australian made

keeping people in Jobs and also being able to be flexible with the products we produce as we make 100% on site
What do you hope for australian manufacturing in the future
: 

that support is provided at the state and Federal level to encourage manufacturing, which is  a challenging  sector to be in.
Anything else you would like to add? 

Hanks is a high quality 100% natural product manufacturer who now export to 6 countries (New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai, India)