J.Robins & Sons Pty Ltd
Investing in Canterbury

J.Robins and Sons has been designing and manufacturing footwear in Australia for well over 100 years. Today, employs 150 people directly involved in footwear manufacturing, in Sydney's south western suburbs, the Robins manufacturing plant at Belmore, is still a private company and works hard to maintain its Australian shoemaking heritage. In recent years Robins has invested in new moulding technology, CAD design and tooling software, improved plant and product flow along with computer controlled stitching and cutting systems. Investment in new technology has also been essential in improving the productivity and speed to market of new products. From a supply point of view, mould making, engineering, tooling, which takes into account design, the company now controls everything from the raw leather to the shoe going into the box, pack making and the production of components. However, as the domestic supply industry has vanished, J.Robins has pursued a deliberate strategy of vertically integrating its supply chain. J.Robins would now be considered a leader in team based manufacturing systems with a particular focus on quick response to customer demands and very short lead times in both development and manufacturing. The result was the introduction of a strategic initiative to improve the Company's product quality, responsiveness and competitiveness through investing in technologically advanced plant and equipment; "Quick Response" manufacturing systems; and extensive programs of workforce training and development. Following the government's changes to tariff and quota arrangements in the 1980's, and the resulting increase in imports of low cost footwear, the Company instituted a major review of its operations. At the peak of the domestic footwear manufacturing in Australia, the Robins company had six manufacturing sites in NSW and Victoria and employed in excess of 1, 400 people. Iconic footwear brands such as Robins and Gro Shu were developed and manufactured by J.Robins & Sons. From these humble beginnings, the company continually expanded its manufacturing operations to establish a thriving enterprise that was extremely well respected by both the footwear and retailing industry. The Robin's family first started making shoes in the 1870's and the company was first incorporated in 1911. (more).