Australian icon boot manufacturer in Hobart Tasmania is closing its doors, sacking 300 staff and moving its business to Thailand and India. A loss for Australia and a gain to Thailand.

Quote from the article:

"Blundstone will shut its doors within months after 137 years of operation and move to Thailand and India to reduce high manufacturing costs."

Oz government said it has nothing to do with the free trade agreement. Sam Kekovich said tonight on Australian TV that the company has prostituted itself by selling out and going overseas.

More can be found here at THIS NEWS STORY link.

Nothing new there, it's been going on in Europe and the USA for years and now hardly anyone makes anything in the UK. Ultimately it's the customer that drives this work migration by buying cheap imports over expensive home manufactured goods. Nonethe less it's devastating for local communities that have grown up around old time family companies like Blundstone.

Good news for Thailand, I wonder where the factory will be located?

Globalization at work

Every decent aussie (both sexes) owns a pair on blundies.

Every decent aussie (both sexes) owns a pair on blundies.

Tuky..Intersting you say that..I bought a new pair of Blundstones, after 4 years in Thailand the Soles crumbled and fell off..I bought them in Perth, when I attempted to contact the company and let them know, they ignored not one but three emails..

I have to say the most comfortable boots I've ever owned even if the soles disintergrated, cant get em fixed as they have steel toe caps..

I think four years use from a single pair of boots is pretty good don't you?

Buy a new pair!!

Every decent aussie (both sexes) owns a pair on blundies.

Tuky..Intersting you say that..I bought a new pair of Blundstones, after 4 years in Thailand the Soles crumbled and fell off..I bought them in Perth, when I attempted to contact the company and let them know, they ignored not one but three emails..

I have to say the most comfortable boots I've ever owned even if the soles disintergrated, cant get em fixed as they have steel toe caps..

That must be how they have survived for so long, repeat customers

The other alternative is Rossi.