Buy Australian: Haymes Paint family urges Victorians to back struggling homegrown traders
They have been Australia’s “first family of paint” for four generations — and now the Ballarat-based Haymes Paint team is calling on Victorians to help them survive well into the future.
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In an industry dominated by overseas brands, Haymes Paint stands out for remaining a local, family-owned paint business, four generations on.
Dubbed Australia’s first family of paint, many Haymes family members are still actively involved in the Ballarat-based business.
“Haymes Paint was started by my grandfather in 1935,” said Matt Haymes, who is the national sales manager.
“Now, 85 years later, almost 300 families are part of the Haymes team, and we only sell our products through other family-owned businesses, such as paint specialists and independent hardware retailers.”
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the paint business, which relies on retail and trade sales — but it has also found that local buyers are increasingly seeking out local brands.
“The paint industry is unfortunately similar to many other industries, in that the vast majority of the major companies are now foreign owned,” said Mr Haymes.
“However, COVID has seen a significant change in the way many consumers think. There’s more consideration now of who owns brands, where they are made, and how organisations behave.”
The flow-on effects of lockdown haven’t been entirely negative for Haymes, with a spike in home renovations and DIY projects sparking demand for paint.
“We have certainly been one of the more fortunate industries,” said Mr Haymes.
“We’re humbled and grateful that many consumers have actively sought out Haymes Paint and have chosen to support local businesses during this time; let’s hope this trend continues.”
Online shopping has skyrocketed during lockdown, providing a huge source of support for many Victorian retailers, businesses and producers during these challenging times.
News Corp Australia’s Buy Australian initiative – in partnership with Woolworths and Australian Made Campaign and supported by Red Energy – encourages Australians to help put money back in to our economy by supporting our producers, makers and manufacturers.
Virtual marketplace BuyAustralia is also doing its bit to encourage Australians to buy local.
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As regional Victoria navigates reduced lockdown restrictions, Haymes looks towards a post-COVID future, which includes parting ways with its original Ballarat store to make way for an exciting new project.
“It will be very sad leaving our current shop on Scott Parade, where we’ve been since the beginning in 1935,” said Mr Haymes.
“We’ve commenced construction of a brand new Haymes paint shop right in the heart of Ballarat. It will be a unique shopping experience for both our retail and trade customers, with pretty much every paint for every surface available in any colour.”