MARKING more than sixty-five years of leading work in industrial textile fabrication, Ballarat\u2019s Bartlett Manufacturing has published a coffee table book which shares the brand\u2019s full story.<\/p>\n
Written by prolific historian Phil Roberts, Covering Australia and Beyond<\/em> includes the history of the family-owned business over 274 pages, from its inception until mid-2021, the evolution of fabrics, methods, and products.<\/p>\n In 1956, railway worker and sailmaker Cliff Bartlett began repairing tarpaulins in his lounge room with a second-hand sewing machine, earning extra money for his and wife Joyce\u2019s growing family at night.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople would leave the tarpaulin on the doorstep. Cliff and Joyce wouldn\u2019t go to sleep that night until they\u2019d finished the work, and they would deliver it the next day,\u201d Roberts said.<\/p>\n \u201cCliff\u2019s reputation for quality and reliability grew very quickly, and he left the railways in 1958.\u201d<\/p>\n Son John Bartlett said the enterprise has \u201ccontinually evolved\u201d since, and is more than just a blind-maker.<\/p>\n They now have seven divisions; blinds, grain, defence, water and tank liners, camper, corporate and general. Bartlett employs 130 staff, including fourth generation family members, across four manufacturing facilities.<\/p>\n An innovator and problem-solver, some Bartlett production highlights have included the Flexiflume, tank-liners, and securing a contract to be the prime supplier of tents, tarps, bags, canopies and more to the Australian Defence Force.<\/p>\n CEO Bartlett Manufacturing Dave O\u2019Brien said one of the most interesting elements to the business\u2019 story is how it\u2019s grown to be Australia\u2019s top industrial textile fabricator, exporting to 26 countries across the world.<\/p>\n \u201cA Ballarat-based company is leading the industry and our knowledge is world-renowned,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Roberts said authoring the book was a challenge, but a privilege, and appreciated the support of John Bartlett who was able to supply historical documents about the business, employees, and products.<\/p>\n