Opening of safety footwear manufacturer's Bassendean factory

24/11/95

A newly-formed Perth company is manufacturing and selling a high quality range of safety footwear aimed at the niche markets of Australia and United States.

Officially opening the Bassendean factory of Footwear Industries Pty Ltd, Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said $2.5 million had been invested in the manufacturing of 'Steel Blue' safety footwear with a unique 'tri-sole density' claimed to have superior wear and durability.

Mr Barnett said he was pleased to see small business in Western Australia enter the resources manufacturing sector.

Businesses of this type would be in a prime position to ride on the coat tails of the current resources boom.

"More than 36,000 people are employed in the mining industry in WA, which in this case means a target market of more than 72,000 feet!" the Minister said.

"In addition, there are hundreds of other people in other sectors who use safety footwear in the course of their work.

"The factory employs 18 people and is striving to reach Quality Assurance standards by mid-1996."

Media contact: Carolyn Vicars 222 9699