Made here, built to last: James Hardie champions Australian manufacturing

James Hardie Australia is proud to mark Australian Made Week by celebrating its partnership with Australian Made, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to Australian manufacturing, innovation, and community development.

Today, with more than 450 employees across local manufacturing, operations, research and development, James Hardie champions Aussie ingenuity from its facilities in Rosehill, New South Wales, and Carole Park, Queensland.

“Our vision is to inspire how communities design, build, and grow today and tomorrow,” said John Arneil, President of James Hardie Asia-Pacific.

“Our partnership with Australian Made is a symbol of our commitment to local manufacturing and product innovation. We’re proud to help create jobs, grow local capability, and build stronger communities – right here at home.

“No one understands Australian homes better than Australian manufacturers. By producing locally, we deliver products engineered specifically for our climate and building standards. Our investment in Australian manufacturing is a commitment to supporting local jobs and the communities we serve.”

To help deliver on its purpose to build a better future for all, James Hardie had its range of fibre cement products certified with the Australian Made logo, in recognition of Hardie™ products’ Australian authenticity and quality.

The famous logo is the true mark of Aussie authenticity and is Australia’s most trusted, and recognised, country of origin symbol.

James Hardie has recently partnered with SAW Constructions, a leading developer-builder focused on delivering high quality townhouses that meet the needs of purchasers and developers.

“At SAW Constructions, we believe that strong partnerships are the foundation of great outcomes,” said Steve Vranesic, Co-founder and Director of Sales and Marketing.

“James Hardie’s reputation for durable, high-performance products makes them a natural fit. Working with Australian-made products ensures support for local industries and aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver thoughtfully built homes suited to Australian conditions.”

This partnership also signals a broader shift in the construction sector toward modern, scalable building practices that leverage local capability and innovation. As the industry moves away from traditional, labour-intensive methods, there is a growing emphasis on efficiency and the ability to rapidly scale to meet demand. Local partnerships are playing a key role in driving this transformation by integrating advanced manufacturing techniques and design technologies rooted in Australian expertise.

“Innovation is a key driver for both James Hardie and SAW,” continued Vranesic. “As builders of the future, we are constantly looking for smarter and more efficient ways to deliver value, and partnering with those who are equally invested in pushing boundaries allows us to stay ahead of evolving expectations.”

This shift is also being driven by a strong preference for locally sourced materials. According to research by Roy Morgan, 73% of Australians want to buy more Australian-made products to reduce Australia’s reliance on imports, reflecting a broader consumer trend toward supporting local industries, ensuring supply chain reliability, and maintaining high quality standards.

The combination of modern construction methods and local sourcing not only boosts domestic capability but also contributes to economic resilience. As a result, such partnerships are becoming essential in shaping Australia’s future.