An Adelaide packaging company's emergency response to the pandemic has transformed into one of the most remarkable Australian manufacturing success stories of recent years.
From Coffee Cups to Medical Masks
When the South Australian government made an urgent call for help during the dire mask shortage of April 2020, the Detmold Group answered despite the challenge being outside their usual scope. The family-owned business, traditionally known for producing coffee cups and McDonald's packaging, made a lightning-fast pivot to medical-grade face mask production.
Chief executive Zoe Detmold revealed the company initially declined the request as it wasn't a core competency, but quickly rose to the occasion. What would typically take 18 months to establish was accomplished in just 18 weeks, marking an extraordinary achievement in Australian manufacturing capability.
Building a Medical-Grade Operation
The transformation required a massive collaborative effort. Equipment was sourced from overseas, engineers worked alongside health experts, and the company recruited workers from diverse backgrounds including chefs, pilots and health professionals to boost factory capacity.
At the peak of the pandemic, the operation was running 24/7, producing an incredible 145 million masks from what had been an unused factory space. "It was amazing to turn an unused factory into a medical-grade manufacturing facility and deliver high-quality products into customers' hands in such a short time," Ms Detmold said.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Horizons
One significant obstacle was the lack of local PPE testing facilities, which threatened to delay production. Detmold Medical addressed this by establishing an onsite laboratory in partnership with Flinders University, UniSA, VicLabs and the CSIRO.
"It's been a real game-changer in ensuring our products are of the highest standards and fit for purpose," Ms Detmold noted about their quality control initiative.
While pandemic demand has eased, the company has secured its position as one of the largest manufacturers of respirators and face masks in the southern hemisphere. They've expanded beyond healthcare into mining and construction sectors and are exploring sustainable manufacturing practices for PPE.
The Australian Made logo has played a crucial role in building customer trust, representing what Ms Detmold describes as "credibility, reliability, availability." The company recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in April, demonstrating the enduring strength and innovation within Australia's local manufacturing sector.
