Author: Poorni Fonseka

ADA (AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE APPAREL PTY LTD) has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Award for “Leader in Textile, Clothing, and Footwear”. This is a remarkable achievement for the company as VMHOFA celebrates its 22nd year.

Award winners were announced at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards gala dinner on Wednesday, 9 October.

The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards recognises excellence in manufacturing and acknowledges leaders in innovation, sustainability, and industry advancement. Out of 129 distinguished nominees, ADA was selected for this award, highlighting the company’s outstanding capabilities at its Bendigo Manufacturing plant.

This recognition reaffirms ADA’s commitment to quality, collaboration, and ethical practices, which are the foundations of the company’s success. It also showcases the critical importance of sovereign capability and a resilient local supply chain in ensuring long-term success in the manufacturing industry.

Victoria’s $33.5 billion manufacturing sector is a driving force of the state’s economy and is made up of more than 23,000 businesses, supporting more than 260,000 jobs and exporting $25.7 billion worth of goods.

Celebrating Victoria’s Manufacturing Champions

Individual Awards

Honour Roll Service to Industry – John Krueger, Krueger Transport Equipment

Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year – Hannah Dillimore, Newform Steel Fabrication and Levi Konnerth, A.W. Bell Machinery

Young Manufacturer of the Year – Afnan Siddique, Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions

Woman Manufacturer of the Year – Latinka Cubitt, Catten Industries

Company Awards

Leader in Construction Technologies – Modscape

Leader in Gender Equality and Inclusion – Alstom Transport Australia

Leader in Health Technologies – CSL

Leader in Textile, Clothing and Footwear – Australian Defence Apparel

Leader in Transport and Rail – Alstom Transport Australia

Leader in Manufacturing – Stahl Metall

Manufacturer of the Year – Regional Business – Farm Foods

Manufacturer of the Year – Small Business – Assembled Threads

Manufacturer of the Year – Medium Business – Hanlon Industries

Manufacturer of the Year – Large Business – CSL

LEGEAR, a division of Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) and leading provider of tactical gear and apparel, in partnership with renowned outdoorwear company Salomon, is honoured to announce their Gold Sponsorship of the Veteran Games. This landmark initiative aligns with ADA’s commitment to supporting veterans’ mental and physical well-being.

“At ADA, our mission is to equip those who serve and protect,” said Chris Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of ADA. “LEGEAR’s co-sponsorship of the Veteran Games with Salomon is a natural extension of that mission, and we feel privileged to be helping veterans thrive in their post-service lives.”

The Veteran Games, a proactive health initiative, was developed to address the critical findings of the Royal Commission on Defence and Veteran Suicide. By fostering community, purpose, and celebration of military identity, the games strive to improve the lives of current and future generations of Australian veterans. Tragically, over 1,600 Australian veterans have lost their lives to suicide in the past two decades, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives like the Veteran Games.

LEGEAR’s commitment to the Veteran Games extends beyond financial sponsorship. The company will equip Veteran Games staff and a participating team with Salomon footwear, celebrated for its performance and durability in demanding environments. LEGEAR will also provide tactical gear for athlete gifts and set up a recovery station at the VG Village. The station will offer participants the opportunity to meet the LEGEAR team, try on Salomon footwear, and refuel with a CMBT protein shake.

“We are incredibly proud to support the Veteran Games and the well-being of our veterans,” said Jason Semple, General Manager of LEGEAR. “The event provides a crucial platform for camaraderie, support, and healing. It’s a true honour to be a part of this important initiative alongside Salomon.”

Learn more about the Veteran Games at veterangames.com

Melbourne, Australia—Australian Defence Apparel (ADA), a leader in protective solutions for Defence personnel, has announced the unveiling of DFNDR®, its revolutionary new brand of body armour and load carriage systems.

The launch will take place at the upcoming Land Forces Expo, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11-13th September 2024.

DFNDR® systems are designed to be highly adaptable and customisable, making them suitable for a wide range of users, missions, and environments. With a strong emphasis on human factors engineering and informed by data-driven insights on soldier systems, the DFNDR® series ensures that soldiers can easily adjust their wearables to meet the unique demands of any situation.

The most significant advantage of DFNDR® systems is their unparalleled flexibility. These systems can seamlessly transition from a lightweight plate carrier to a fully up-armoured tactical system without requiring soldiers to carry excessive or complex equipment, minimising cognitive burden.

“DFNDR® represents a significant leap forward in tactical gear design,” said Chris Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of ADA. “We’ve combined over a century of battlefield experience with cutting-edge materials, rigorous testing, and data-driven intelligence to create a system that empowers soldiers to perform at their best in any environment.”

DFNDR® is the result of ADA’s unwavering commitment to innovation and soldier-centric design. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in tactical gear, ADA equips the modern soldier with the tools they need to face the challenges of the 21st-century battlefield.

Media are invited to visit the ADA stand at the Land Forces Expo to experience DFNDR® firsthand. Show highlights at ADA’s stand E218 also include the launch of both DFNDR® and ENFORCR® (newly launched brand for law enforcement gear), introduction to the best-in-breed global tactical brands, and view the award-winning ENFORCR® Ghost Glove™.

Melbourne – Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) in collaboration with Private Brands is delighted to announce that their innovative ENFORCR+Ghost – The Next-Gen Duty Glove, has been awarded the esteemed Australian Good Design Award Winner accolade in the Product Design category. The Australian Good Design Awards is the country’s most prestigious international accolade for design and innovation. This recognition was celebrated at a grand ceremony held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, attended by over 1000 distinguished guests from design, architecture, engineering and business sectors. 

The ENFORCR+Ghost glove, a product of an extensive two-year collaboration between ADA and Private Brands, showcases groundbreaking design and innovation. The glove offers 360-degree cut protection and unparalleled dexterity, specifically engineered to meet the rigorous demands of Defence and Law Enforcement professionals. This award underlines ADA’s commitment to excellence in design and functionality, setting a new standard for safety gear in high-stakes environments. 

The Jury praised ENFORCR+Ghost – The Next-Gen Duty Glove, commenting: 

Born from a Defence and Law-enforcement end-user requirement, the ENFORCR+Ghost glove provides 360-degree cut protection and dexterity for operating weapons and entry tools. The Jury commends the ENFORCR+Ghost for its exceptional design that combines comprehensive cut protection with high dexterity. It meets the rigorous demands of defence and law enforcement professionals, offering both safety and functionality in high-stakes environments. 

Chris Dixon, CEO of ADA, said, “I’m very proud of all the teams involved. Winning the Australian Good Design Award is a testament to our commitment to innovation and quality in uniform and gear design. This accolade recognises our dedication to meeting the needs of those who serve and protect.” 

The 2024 Australian Good Design Awards, themed “The Design Effect,” emphasised the crucial role of design in fostering sustainability and innovation. The 2024 Awards highlighted excellence across 12 Design Disciplines, covering more than 32 Categories.  

The Awards recognise a diverse range of projects from Australia and abroad, encompassing architectural design, engineering, digital and communication design, and emerging fields such as design strategy, social impact and policy design – a new standalone category introduced in 2024. This year’s entries were rigorously evaluated by more than 80 distinguished Jurors from around the globe, including designers, engineers, architects, and industry leaders. 

ADA and Private Brands’ collaboration perfectly exemplifies the transformative power of industry collaboration in design, aligning with the Awards’ focus on sustainability and innovation. This prestigious accolade reaffirms ADA’s position as a leader in the development and management of highly specialised Defence and Law Enforcement apparel. 

For more information about ENFORCR+Ghost and other innovative products by ADA, please visit https://enforcr.ada.com.au/products/ghost-glove.