As featured in HM Magazine, October 2020.
Bathroom amenity suppliers are always on the hunt for new labels to offer to hotel partners, with local flavours growing in popularity.
Significant investments are being made into upscaling production of local and boutique bathroom amenity products into mainstream volumes.
For Swisstrade, this push to bring smaller operations directly to the coalface has been a mission of discovery, described by company Principal, Peter Weingartner, as “a beautiful experience”.
“Our Australian-made designer brand Leif, which heroes key native ingredients and essential oils, has gained a lot of attention during lockdown and continues to be in big demand,” he said.
“The unquestionable highlight coming out of these unprecedented times is our new brand partnership with Australian-owned Jurlique. Harnessing the strong demand from hoteliers for locally manufactured brands and the need to support Australian businesses and jobs gives us the opportunity to support the CSRs of national hotel groups and as well as being a huge point of difference to boutique operators.
It is a proud moment for Swisstrade and Jurlique to be announcing the relaunch of the brand in the accommodation sector. We can’t wait to see Jurlique and Leif gain momentum, as our industry is looking to support home-grown brands that resonate with the hearts and minds of their guests,” he added.
Weingartner was remaining positive despite the challenges of the pandemic, saying that while issues on volume, stock, demand and production were navigated, the company had taken the chance during the downturn to move into its own warehouse facility. Furthermore, coming off the back of record sales in amenity dispensing systems from 2019, this enabled the company to hire Kane Rozier as its new Operations and Supply Chain Manager, tasked with managing the company’s inventory levels and doing so with great success.
Together with its new warehouse and personnel, Swisstrade finds itself in a highly advantageous position to emerge from the pandemic stronger, more agile and better resourced for when the market picks up once again.
“At times, with stock volumes stretched and demand high during lock-down, it has proven challenging to accommodate the needs of the commercial sector.
That said, lower production volumes and a short supply chain gives us the flexibility to react quickly,” Weingartner added.
Swisstrade added that the difficult times of 2020 have galvanised the hotel sector and that everybody is being as supportive as they can. “On a more personal note, this pandemic has certainly brought out the best in all of us and with careful planning and open communication, we are managing to accommodate a growing number of enquiries,” Weingartner added.
We would love the opportunity to speak with you about the home-grown brands Leif and Jurlique.
For more information please contact us on 02 9979 1500 or email info@swisstrade.com.au
