Stories of doom and gloom in the Australian manufacturing industry, and a long drought may well have put off the hardiest of business owners, but not David Hicks and Andrea Brosnan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Starting Offsider Agricultural Equipment in south-east Queensland in 2017 seemed like a clear opportunity.
"We saw the chance to design and build equipment for the changing face of agriculture," Mr Hicks said.
"Our neighbours work their places well into their 60s and 70s, and more and more women are primary workers on properties.
"Current equipment isn't designed for that, and we knew we could build something better."
Offsider Ag are committed to keeping production in Australia.
"We are based in my hometown," Ms Brosnan said.
"The community needs people at the co-op, in the polocrosse club and kids at school. I was adamant about basing our business here."
Research shows Australian made products support jobs, economic development and prosperity in communities.
"We had jobs and work going throughout the drought," Ms Brosnan said.
"It's not 20 full-time jobs yet, but that's coming."
The growth of the business has not been hampered by location.
"Online sales support our field day activity," Mr Hicks said.
"We share video and photos of the machines in action, and customers see how effective they are.
"But nothing beats that personal experience.
"We love getting to field days, and meeting people.
"We are going to 11 events across the eastern states in 2020."
Much of the current livestock handling equipment is produced overseas, and delivery and production delays can be common place, but that's not an issue for Offsider Ag.
"We use Australian made inputs, a locally based production team, and market and support the products ourselves," Mr Hicks said.
"We aren't bound by offshore manufacturing or supply delays."
"Buying locally means flexibility for our customers.
"We build all our products on site in Queensland.
"If you want a gate swung the opposite way, or panels 12mm higher, we can do that for you.
"It's hard to do that with pre-made, imported stuff."
Their Australian designed and built Spin-a-Calf impressed judges at Henty and Orange field days in 2019, receiving awards at both events.
"We design, test and trial our products in Australia, and stand behind them in all uses," Mr Hicks said.
- Visit: www.offsiderag.com.au
