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Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) has officially opened its Commonwealth Hub in Canberra on Thursday 13 April 2023. The space will serve as a critical multi-functional site for personnel across the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Commonwealth clients.
ADA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Dixon led the official opening and proceedings.
The 5000sqm central Canberra hub furthers ADA’s ability to provide greater efficiencies in total apparel management for 10,000+ personnel. Services include the design and engineering of uniforms and inventory management. Providing an overall improved wearer experience for the members, the space will also accommodate fittings, tailoring, returns and exchanges. To date, the hub has processed over 300,000 items for personnel within the AFP and ABF.
ADA are leaders in uniform technological advancement and total apparel management systems, a first responder core focus spanning defence, law enforcement, healthcare, government and corporate industries.
Chief Executive Officer of ADA, Chris Dixon said: “Centrally located in Hume, our facility is perfectly positioned to best support our Commonwealth clients. The official opening of the ADA Canberra Commonwealth Hub is instrumental in delivering on our commitment to combine leading textiles and new technologies to best serve our diverse clientele. We trust that the ADA Canberra Commonwealth Hub will allow ABF and AFP personnel to receive the highest quality care and service, complemented by high-tech apparel systems offering them an increased sense of pride and allow them to perform their duties with comfort and ease and take less time away from work duties.
“We are delighted to open this state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility that includes an expansive showroom, store and warehouse facility office space. The facility provides a unique, seamless and special experience for fitting, kitting and distribution,” Mr Dixon said.
All attendees were given a formal tour of the facility, led by ADA CEO, Mr Dixon. There were exclusive opportunities for networking, meet and greets, photos, a first-look official tour of the hub, and refreshments provided.
Today, ADA proudly announces a unique collaboration with the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation (AKKF), an organisation committed to empowering young people to thrive beyond the impacts of family mental illness; together, they are set to unveil and welcome ‘DIGGER’, the Plushie Pup with a Purpose.
Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) proudly announces an industry-first collaboration with Indigenous Design Labs (IDL), marking a significant milestone set to champion and showcase Indigenous youth creativity and community engagement.
Palmerston North's building its case as our Defence Force capital — along with nearby bases, it now has a new warehouse home to the nation's military uniforms.
All the kit a New Zealand soldier, sailor or aviator can wear or carry has started passing through Palmerston North’s newest distribution centre. ADA NZ’s leased warehouse near Milson Airport has been officially opened and is fully operational with room to grow the business.
Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) subsidiary ADA New Zealand announced it has opened its multi-function logistics hub in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The 3,000 square metre facility will serve as a hub for design and development, data-driven wearable systems, logistics, and warehousing, catering to the needs of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
Australian Defence Apparel camouflage is a common sight on Aussie troops, but now the defence manufacturer has partnered with Legacy Australia to supply 1,500 uniforms for The 2023 Legacy Centenary Torch Relay.
The torch relay, presented by Defence Health, starts in Pozieres, France on 23 April this year and travels 55,000 kilometres around the world in the arms of 1,500 torchbearers. It also carries special significance as the 100th year of Legacy Australia.
The relay leaves France on Anzac Day and treks to London, then Perth, and around Australia passing through more than 112 locations before arriving at the finish in Melbourne for the Centenary Conference around 13 October.
The six-month event stops at all 45 Legacy Clubs and aims to raise more than $10 million to support the families of Australian Defence Force men and women who lost their lives or health in conflict.
Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) lead designer Melinda Suares, who created and put the 1,500 torchbearer uniforms into production, said initial design concepts and meetings had been worked on for around five months before the final product was made.
“The key element of the design was showcased through a sublimated print. The centenary torch logo was an essential part of this uniform design, incorporating the red and blue hues from the logo,” she said.
“The design is then complimented with intertwining strips that emerge upon the legacy logo on the chest.
“The light green and blue stripes form two helping hands, which touch the end of the torch relay logo. This represents (the) unity and harmonious help both Legacy and Defence Health do to support veterans and their families with stability, guidance and care.
“It was about capturing the true essence of Legacy and what the foundation was all about. Understanding the meaning behind the 100-year centenary torch relay was important in the initial design concept stage.”
ADA chose a validated fit for the t-shirts, shorts, and trackpants and worked with Perfect Events to make minor changes and cater to the people who would be wearing it, she said.
The Australian defence manufacturer will also be contributing to the event at various community days, profiling individual torch bearers, manufacturing bespoke products to support the relay and hosting a Bendigo Factory tour with Legacy volunteers.
Legacy Australia chairman Eric Easterbrook OAM, said the relay is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate 100 years of Legacy supporting veterans’ families.
“Legacy’s centenary is an important commemoration for our nation. It recognises the sacrifice of so many families over the past century as well as the efforts of countless volunteers who have supported them throughout grief and hardship,” he said.
“Their support will help Legacy remain strong for another 100 years and continue to support and empower all our veterans’ families to build their best future.”
By: Robert Dougherty – Defence Connect
