108-year-old bootmaker to upgrade and move operations, though redundancies will follow
A SURGE in exports and updates to its manufacturing processes are driving Adelaide boot maker Rossi to change homes early next year.
A SURGE in exports and updates to its manufacturing processes are driving a well known Adelaide boot maker to change homes early next year.
But the change of address by Rossi Boots - which has run its operations from Sir Don Bradman Drive for the past 30 years - will come at the expense of a handful of job losses.
Managing director Myron Mann said the elimination of some of the company’s outdated machinery would result in a small number of redundancies.
“While we’d love to take everyone with us, not all the roles will move across to the new
premises,” he said. “That’s been a hard thing to deal with because we’re such a close family within the business.”
But growth opportunities through new distribution partnerships, particularly via North America, will see additional production and customer service requirements he said.
Rossi will move from its Hilton address to an unnamed home in the Adelaide suburbs in March next year.
Mr Mann said the decision to move to new premises was bittersweet but exciting.
“Hilton has been our home since 1988 and it has been a big part of the Rossi story for both our employees and our customers,” he said.
However, the Rossi export business has grown significantly over the past 12 months with a
State Government grant earlier this year helping forge new distribution partnerships in the
UK, Canada and USA.
“This has brought with it the need to realign our operations in a more modern facility,” Mr Mann said.
Rossi will retain most of its current manufacturing capabilities while upgrading from some outdated machinery to advanced manufacturing processes.
“While the traditional work boot remains a firm favourite, we are seeing increased demand for
our fashion styles, particularly in overseas markets,” Mr Mann said.
“To cope with this growth, some of our manufacturing for these newer styles will be sourced
offshore while the traditional workboot will continue to be made in SA.
The bulk of the Rossi production will continue to be in done in Adelaide, he said.
Rossi Boots’ new US and Canadian operations will begin on December 1 with the investment. by the State Government in new systems enabling Rossi to run its American distribution direct from Adelaide.
Rossi Boots was founded in Adelaide in 1910 and is still owned by the founders, the Rossiter family.