Vovlo Group Australia, who manufacture Volvo and Mack Trucks in Brisbane, hosted Arnie at the launch - urging Australians to prioritise locally-made products.
“As a proud Aussie, I’m super excited to fly the flag for Australian Made goods and to recognise and celebrate the efforts and determination that it takes to be successful as a home-grown producer,” Titmus said.
Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said the week was a timely reminder of the real-world impact of buying local.
“Just like Arnie in the pool, Aussie manufacturers compete each and everyday against some of the toughest competition in the world – and they need our support,” Lazzaro said.
According to new research by Roy Morgan, 73% of Australians say they’re willing to buy more Australian-made products to reduce reliance on imports. A strong 72% are also willing to pay more for locally made goods.
“If every household spent just $10 more a week on Australian Made products, we’d inject an extra $5.6 billion into our economy and generate around 10,000 new jobs,” Lazzaro added.
For more than 35 years, the trusted Australian Made, Australian Grown green-and-gold logo featuring the outline of a kangaroo has identified products as authentically Australian – including the heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Volvo at its Wacol plant in Queensland.
Martin Merrick, President and CEO Volvo Group Australia said Volvo Group Australia is committed to local manufacturing.
“We are proud of our 50-year heritage championing Australian innovation, engineering excellence and job creation, by producing vehicles built tough for Australian conditions by Australians,” Merrick said.
Businesses bearing our unique country-of-origin certification represent approximately 40,000 jobs and generate a combined annual revenue of around $8 billion - with every single purchase of their products helping to support the cities, towns and regions where the goods are produced.
“Whether it's skincare or solar panels, curtains or campervans – we can all play our part in giving Australian businesses a true home-ground advantage,” Titmus added.
The Roy Morgan research showed 84% of Australians would be more likely to buy a product if they knew it was Australian made.
In other findings:
- Of those willing to pay more for Australian-made goods, 50% are willing to pay up to 10% more.
- Females are more likely to buy Australian made products compared to males (47% vs 39%).
- Consumers in country areas (48%) are also much more likely to buy Australian-made products.
- 89% of Australians believe more manufacturing should be undertaken in Australia*.
- 99% of Australians recognise the green and gold Australian Made logo**.
- 93% are confident products displaying the logo are genuinely Australian**.
Learn more about Australian Made Week at australianmadeweek.com.au.
To apply to use the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo on locally made products, visit australianmade.com.au/apply.
