Steel Blue upgrade to double production

Leading Australian boot manufacturer Steel Blue has celebrated its 25th anniversary with the unveiling of a new $2 million machine designed to double its local manufacturing capabilities.

Distributors, long-term employees and Premier Mark McGowan gathered at the company’s Malaga factory for the unveiling of the new state-of-the-art machinery, developed by German manufacturer Desma.

Steel Blue chief executive officer Garry Johnson said the new equipment offered the company greater operational flexibility and employees with the opportunity to upskill, while enabling the company to keep up with strong domestic and international demand.

Mr McGowan urged the state’s resources sector to support Western Australian business and its workforce by supporting Steel Blue and supplying all workers with the boots.

“We have this incredibly strong mining industry here in WA,” he said.

“We have the greatest mining industry in the world and one of the great oil and gas industries of the world, but not everyone is buying Steel Blue boots.

“My request to industry is that one of the things it should do is issue its workforce with Steel Blue boots.

“Not only will they be supporting WA industry, they’ll be supporting looking after their workforce’s feet.”

Since its inception in 1995, the 100 per cent Australian owned boot manufacturer has produced more than 11 million pairs of boots, which have been sold in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and, more recently, the US.

The company’s product has become synonymous with comfort and innovation, the first to develop trisole comfort technology, a multilayer sole with cushioning and shock absorption, and an airport-friendly composite steel cap boot.

Steel Blue has also raised more than $1.4 million for Breast Cancer Care WA and more than $280,000 for Beyond Blue to date.