Steel Blue welcomes Hon. Paul Papalia to inspect local manufacturing of non-combat boots for Defence Force.

Pictured left to right: Chief Executive Officer Garry Johnson, Minister Papalia, Head of Manufacturing Dwayne Sewell, Manufacturing Operator Abdul Mohamed. 

Leading Australian safety boot manufacturer, Steel Blue, was thrilled to welcome the Hon. Paul Papalia, Minister for Police, Road Safety, Defence Industry, and Veterans Issues, to tour its Malaga manufacturing facility on Tuesday, 25 January 2022.  Steel Blue has been the manufacturer of the non-combat maintenance boot worn by the National Defence Force for the past eight years.

Steel Blue Chief Sales Officer and Founding Director, Ross Fitzgerald, commented, “It was a pleasure to host Minister Papalia and take him on a tour of our Malaga head office, warehouse and manufacturing facility. After investing $2 million to upgrade our local manufacturing capability in Western Australia, this facility predominantly makes boots for our defence contracts and local businesses. We’ve seen revenue growth rates of around 20% in the last 12 months and look forward to continued growth in our defence and emergency services contract portfolio.”

Minister Papalia said Steel Blue’s manufacturing facility is world class, and a prime example of Western Australian businesses manufacturing for defence. “It’s always a pleasure to visit Steel Blue, and see the important work they do in manufacturing safety footwear for the Australian Defence Force. Companies such as Steel Blue employ dozens of Western Australians, who in turn manufacture essential protective equipment for our defence personnel, export internationally and contribute towards Australia’s sovereign capability.”