Western Australia’s only carpet manufacturer, Westwools Carpets, has upgraded its facilities, giving it double its previous capacity.
Following its purchase of a $4.5 million, 60-metre long carpet backing machine, Westwools can now produce three million square metres of residential and commercial carpet a year.
Westwools owner and chairman, Jim Coles describes the company as a niche manufacturer.
He said it had created carpets for use in residential buildings, aircraft, boats, and high rise buildings.
“One of the more interesting projects we have worked on lately was the Fremantle Maritime Museum, where we worked very closely with the architects from Cox Howlett and Bailey Woodland in designing the carpet,” Mr Coles said.
Westwools also carpeted most of the Sydney Olympic Village, all of Australia Post’s national outlets and the Lend Lease Group.
Out of 12 carpet manufacturers in Australia, only three are Australian, and Mr Coles said most Australian companies had become part of multi-global companies.
“We buy as much content as possible locally – that is really important to us,” he said.
Westwools has 72 employees in WA in addition to its 30 production lines and exports throughout South-East Asia.
Last year the company had a turnover of $24 million, and Mr Coles said that should grow $30 million next year.
The company originally commenced manufacturing in 1977 and has since relocated twice and opened another manufacturing facility in Melbourne.
“We supply to all the major groups like Carpet Call, Carpet Choice, Carpet Hotline, Trevors and the ICR Group and have done work for every government in Australia,” Mr Coles said.
“The only way to go forward now is to embrace new technology.”
Mr Coles estimated Westwools produced 6 per cent of the total carpet market in Australia.
