A Q&A with Jonothon from Dura-Wear Industries

Hi Jonothon! To start, can you share a little about your story? Where did you start out and what drew you into the textile, clothing and footwear industry and into your role at Dura-Wear Industries and Club Chef?

My connection to garment manufacturing runs deep. My family has been involved in local Australian clothing manufacturing for more than 100 years. My great-grandfather began making garments in his Northcote garage in the 1920s, which over time grew into one of Australia’s leading uniform manufacturers for several decades.

In the 1970s the business was divided, and my relatives, Tony & Barbara Ray, carried the family legacy forward, transforming what was a struggling factory at the time into the strong and resilient business we know today.

Growing up, I worked in the factory during school holidays, and without realising it at the time, I developed a genuine affinity for garment manufacturing and the industry as a whole. After completing my studies and spending time working in the audio industry, I returned to the business, initially expecting it to be a temporary role. Thirty years later, I’m still here, now running the company and proudly continuing the tradition as a fourth-generation Australian clothing manufacturer.

That’s quite a legacy! For readers who are just discovering Dura-Wear Industries and Club Chef, how would you describe the business? Tell us a little about what you do, the kinds of products you make, and the people and industries you work with.

Since the mid-1970s, Dura-Wear Industries has specialised in the local manufacture and supply of uniforms and workwear across a wide range of industries. While our primary focus is the hospitality sector, supplying chefs, kitchens, and foodservice professionals, our reach extends well beyond that.

We also design and supply specialised garments and equipment for the accommodation, education, healthcare, corporate, and broader B2B sectors. We work directly with professionals and businesses of all sizes, from independent operators to major national organisations, allowing us to stay closely connected to the real-world needs of the people who wear our products every day.

With such a long history in Australian garment manufacturing, what drives that commitment to local, ethical production, and how does it shape the way Dura-Wear Industries and Club Chef operate?

Given our long history in local manufacturing, it’s incredibly important to us to retain design and production expertise in-house. Manufacturing locally allows us to control quality, respond quickly to customer needs, and maintain valuable skills within our business and the wider industry.

While many uniform suppliers rely on copying designs and importing finished goods, we design, develop, and manufacture our products ourselves. Our ability to prototype, sample, manufacture, repair, and alter garments locally is a key point of difference and a major reason Dura-Wear continues to stand out in a highly competitive market.

Staying in business through so many shifts in the industry is a huge achievement. Is there a particular challenge you’ve faced and overcome, or a milestone in Dura-Wear Industries’ journey that you’re especially proud of?

During the 1980s and 1990s, our manufacturing workforce grew to more than 50 in-house staff. When import tariffs were reduced in the early 1990s, the Australian market was suddenly flooded with low-cost imported products, forcing us to make significant operational changes over the following decade.

While the scale of local manufacturing has reduced since that time, I’m immensely proud that we have continued to maintain in-house production capabilities rather than moving entirely offshore. In 2024, we celebrated 50 years of continuous operation under the Dura-Wear name, an incredible milestone that reflects our resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to our industry.

This milestone could never have been achieved without a great team and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked alongside many talented colleagues, from cutters, machinists and tailors to dispatch, admin and management. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey.

Dura-Wear Industries and Club Chef recently became accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia. What prompted you to pursue accreditation, and what does that recognition mean to you and your team?

The support, safety, and wellbeing of our staff have always been central to our company values. Seeking accreditation through Ethical Clothing Australia was a natural step, as it provides independent verification and transparency around practices we’ve long believed in.

For us, the accreditation reinforces trust with both existing and prospective clients, clearly demonstrating that our garments are produced ethically, responsibly, and locally, in line with our long-standing commitment to Australian manufacturing.

To learn more about Dura-Wear Industries, visit their manufacturer listing and website, as well as the Club Chef brand listing and website