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Laminex Celebrates 90 Years
Laminex is a distinctively Australian brand, and now the company – founded in a Melbourne shed in 1934 – is turning 90.
Like Victa, Holden, Hills Hoist and Vegemite, Laminex is a hallowed member of the pantheon of iconic Australian brands. And this year, the company – founded in a Melbourne tin shed in 1934 – is reaching a landmark: its 90th anniversary. Laminex may have grown to become a nationally revered brand, one whose products have graced thousands of Australian homes, but the company’s credo remains unchanged: that every Australian deserves great quality products with great quality design.
The Laminex concept evolved in the early 1950s when Bob Sykes became fascinated by the growing international trend for decorative laminates. His timing couldn’t have been better: the post-war housing boom continued unabated, as did our desire for affordable products to fill those new homes. After travelling to the US to research how the laminates were made, full production started at a plant in Melbourne’s Cheltenham in 1952.
In the decades since, Laminex has consistently set the benchmark for innovation, which has seen the original product range expand to include modern laminates, acrylic surfaces and wall panelling, all equally durable, functional and aesthetically appealing. The company’s portfolio now encompasses not only Laminex, but Formica, Surround by Laminex and HI-MACS. “Laminex’s success can be attributed to an ongoing focus on product and manufacturing innovation, and a pursuit of continuous improvement, elevating performance across its entire spectrum of operations,” says Sacha Leagh-Murray, the company’s general manager of sales and marketing. “For 90 years, Laminex has continually adapted, reinvesting in the safety, performance and capacity of its plants through new equipment, training and development.”
Local production is a core principle of Laminex’s operations, with 97 per cent of its range manufactured in Australia. The company has seven plants across four states, with a focus on regional manufacturing. These include the original site in Cheltenham, where high-pressure laminate, compact laminate and wet-area panelling are made, Ballarat (decorated MDF used in cabinetry doors), Bathurst (partitioning and locker systems), and Gympie in Queensland and WA’s Dardanup (both raw particleboard and MDF).
“As a proudly Australian-owned and -operated company, local manufacturing is paramount to us,” says Sacha. “It is evident now more than ever that manufacturing locally is crucial to the success of our economy, with the added advantage of shorter supply times, greater opportunity for quality control and the ability to support local communities and create more jobs for Australians.”
Laminex also has an unwavering commitment to sustainability. “As one of Australia’s biggest manufacturers of wood and paper products, we are dedicated to embedding sustainability throughout our production.” In 2005, the company was the first Australian manufacturer to have products supported by a Green Star rating and became the first in its category to achieve Global GreenTag certification, a globally recognised certification for superior eco products.
Ninety years on from its beginnings in that modest Melbourne tin shed, Laminex is proud that its products are not only design-led and durable, but also support the Australian economy and are backed by world-class sustainability credentials. “The design world may be forever evolving, but one thing that remains is Australia’s love for Laminex – in kitchens, bathrooms and beyond.”
