Industry insights
Michael Smith is the consulting architect for Built Environment Channel and lead consultant of Spec Up.
Promoting Australian-Made Manufacturing:
A Strategic Advantage in Uncertain Times
The tariff wars are just beginning, and the global trade situation is becoming increasingly fluid. With this in mind, we anticipate architects will pay closer attention to Australian-made products as they navigate this uncertainty. The COVID-19 era already taught us the importance of local supply chains, and now, with global trade becoming more unpredictable, that lesson is more relevant than ever.
For architects, specifying Australian-made products offers both a strategic advantage and greater project reliability. During the pandemic, firms that relied on locally manufactured materials were not only able to avoid supply disruptions but also shielded themselves from the cost escalation caused by skyrocketing international shipping rates. As global shipping costs soared due to port congestion and limited availability of shipping containers, Australian-made products remained more cost-effective and predictable in price, ensuring that architects could keep projects on budget.
Beyond supply chain resilience, architects must also consider local content requirements for many government projects. Increasingly, projects funded by government bodies stipulate a minimum percentage of locally sourced materials, making it essential for architects to stay informed about these regulations. Clear visibility on the available data and verified local content information is key to helping architects meet these requirements and stay competitive in the market.
As building product suppliers, marketing Australian-made products is not just about promoting quality—it’s about aligning with the growing demand for sustainability, compliance, and supply chain security. By offering clear data on local content, transparency around sourcing, and emphasizing the resilience of Australian-made products, suppliers can help architects navigate uncertainty while positioning themselves as trusted, forward-thinking partners. In a time when architects are paying closer attention to local sourcing, your marketing efforts can create the trust and visibility needed to get specified.