WODONGA’S Yakka factory has produced 38,000 pairs of trousers, which will be warn by more than 15,000 volunteers, technical officers and medal bearers during the Commonwealth Games.
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Plant manager Peter Korju said the deal, worth in excess of $2 million, was extremely valuable for the factory.
“It’s quite prestigious that organisers have trusted us to make these garments,” Mr Korju said.
“It highlights just how skilled our machinists are.”
Made from polyester viscose fabric produced at the Wangaratta’s Bruck Textiles, the pants have the trademark Melbourne 2006 blue stitching.
“The fabric breathes, so it’s perfect for hot days, yet is also warm enough for cool evenings,” Mr Korju said.
Mr Korju said half of the factory had to be re-configured, with three new factory lines set up between July and November last year.
“We adapted our machinery to cope with the lighter weight fabric that was used in the pants, because normally, we only produce our workwear pants, which are 100 per cent cotton,” he said.
Plant supervisor, Sue Beer, said the 30 machinists who worked on the trousers enjoyed the change.
“The quality had to be exceptional and we received positive feedback from Melbourne that what we were producing was of a very high standard,” she said.
Bruck chief executive Alan Williamson said the deal was important for the company.
“We hope the deal brings to the attention of large corporations that Bruck Textiles is capable of producing a variety of products to a world-class standard,” he said.
He said the 400 employees involved in the fabric production were proud of their role in the Games.
“Our staff is now more excited about seeing the volunteers in their uniforms than watching the athletes.”
