Sixty-three small businesses will share $2.6 million in government grants announced under the Australian Government’s Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Small Business Program.

The government grants, ranging from $17,000 to $50,000, have been awarded to help these businesses become more innovative and strengthen the business culture of Australia’s TCF industries.

Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, said the program was aimed at making TCF small businesses more competitive by developing new processes, especially at the niche, high-value end of the market.

“This round has again been extremely competitive, with over 250 businesses applying for grants,” Senator Carr said.

“The strong response shows that the TCF sector is keen to embrace a culture of innovation and enterprise, and power through the tough market conditions.

“Typical of the innovative approaches of government grant recipients are projects to improve production processes, explore export markets, and embrace the internet as part of their business strategy.

“These small businesses represent the next generation of TCF industries that employ 45,000 people, including many in regional Australia. A vibrant TCF sector will lead to more high-value, high-skill jobs.”

The TCF Small Business Program is providing $25 million in grants over 10 years to Australia’s small designers and manufacturers.

Successful round five projects include:

  • Jongs Tailor and Dress House, in the Northern Territory – a grant of $32,165 directed at improving the business’s design and manufacturing capability with strategic business mentoring and the implementation of CAD software and equipment. 
    [Contact: Mrs Fifi Tse (08) 8947 0654]
  • J’Aton Couture, in Victoria – a grant of $43,600 to develop and implement a business strategy for the high-end fashion label, with supporting administrative and business processes. It includes research to identify alternative export and domestic markets. [Contact: Mr Jacob Luppino (03) 9533 8666]
  • Besmitten in Tasmania – a grant of $45,920, to mentor the principals and build the capability of the business as producers of superfine merino clothing (Smitten Merino), by implementing communications and marketing plans.  [Contact: Mr Carl Mason 0408 094 594]

The full list of recipients is detailed below:

Applicant NameProject TitleGrant
Romance Was BornBusiness mentoring$43,898
Alice McCallManaging the total business to sustain growth$50,000
Anna & BoyBusiness mentoring program – Strategic Channel Management$33,608
Berczelly, Irene EDesigns, patterns and improved production$30,000
Birdee Golf ApparelHeading “Out of Bounds” – riding the winds of e-commerce$47,238
Brigid MclaughlinImplement and integrate a computerised patternmaking system$27,849
OlogyHannah McNicol’s journey to wholesale: a business sophistication project$40,000
Ellery, Kimberley Jean KahurangiEnterprise Management Software, operational management and procedures project$49,643
Friedrich GrayShades of gray to black & white – bringing certainty and confidence to the production process$50,000
Grandma Takes a TripBrand and marketing strategy for Grandma Takes a Trip$40,000
Hussy ClothingWebsite upgrade to e-commerce platform$42,500
High Tea with Mrs WooUnravelling the Threads$50,000
Katie PerryReview and expand operational, marketing and product development opportunities$25,700
Johanna JohnsonComputer management system for wholesale production, supply & distribution$50,000
Josh GootBusiness mentoring$43,128
Kirrily JohnstonMarketing and e-commerce$50,000
KonstantinaDeveloping capabilities with systems and mentoring$48,000
Lee, Dion Robert JohnBusiness mentoring program$35,148
McDonald, Andrew RobertSuccessfully exporting into culturally different markets$31,900
Muhan CorporateTotal control a necessity for customer service$30,000
Nundle Woollen MillStrategic marketing approach to the future of Nundle Woollen Mill$30,000
Rawsthorne GroupDigital communications & marketing strategy$48,260
RittenhouseStrategic growth operations$44,244
Soul SportsMarketing and sales strategy$33,660
Embryo DesignsEmbryo’s rebranding and operational improvement project$42,340
SumakhiBuilding an accessible storehouse of accurate and up to date information$50,000
Sundara ProductionsTechnology and change$28,000
Tluxe Clothing CompanyStrategic review and implementation of an integrated Enterprise Management System$50,000
Jiva ClothingBusiness mentoring – E-commerce and digital marketing$35,862
WoolerinaMarketing and operational improvement project$50,000
Zeus SportsZeus Sports 2010 – 2011 Driving Technology Program$44,500
Bassham, MetteStrategic product review & manufacturing assessment project$17,000
Bima WearBima Wear goes Global$35,420
Jongs Tailor and Dress HouseBusiness development through product, marketing and internal sys