James Hardie Celebrates its Manufacturing Heroes this Australian Made Week

To mark Australian Made Week on 20-26 May 2024, we are celebrating our Hardie’s Heroes in manufacturing, who help to create quality products for our customers every day.

James Hardie has certified its range of Hardie™ fibre cement products with the Australian Made logo to help deliver on our purpose of Building a Better Future For All™. The famous logo is the true mark of Aussie authenticity and is the most trusted and recognised country of origin symbol.

It is underpinned by a third-party accreditation system, which ensures products that carry the logo are certified as ‘genuinely Australian’.

Our vision is to inspire how communities design, build, and grow today and tomorrow, so it's important to ensure that builders and homeowners know they can expect a quality product from us.

By making our fibre cement in Australia, we proudly support and grow local manufacturing capability, help create jobs, strengthen local industries and bolster surrounding communities.

We employ a diverse workforce of over 450 employees across operations, manufacturing and research and product development in Australia.

Amongst these employees, 43 have dedicated more than 30 years of service to James Hardie. Our longest serving employee has been with us for an incredible 49 years.

Our manufacturing team work tirelessly to ensure we consistently produce quality fibre cement products with safety, security, and well-being as the highest priority.

Shyle Castro – Quality Assurance Operator

Shyle works in our quality lab as a quality assurance operator in Rosehill. She started working at James Hardie in 2019 in the Finishing Day services team. She has since joined the quality lab where she is responsible for collecting, checking and testing the quality of raw materials and cooked product to ensure it meets quality specifications.

“James Hardie has a great working environment with employees from many different cultures, helping me feel welcome and understood. Everyone treats me like family, and we are all proud to contribute to our Australian Made Hardie™ fibre cement.”

Trent Thompson – Forklift Operator

Trent started working for James Hardie last year as a forklift driver in the pallet yard, unloading, and loading trucks. He also maintains the disposal area to ensure it is kept clean and safe for everyone.

“I like that we have a focus on safety and want everyone to go home to their families safely each day. To me, being ‘Australian Made’ is about building a better future for those creating dream homes and James Hardie helps to contribute to that.”

Kenny Boutros – Team Leader

Kenny immigrated to Australia in 1986 to improve his quality of life and to reconnect with his siblings. He joined James Hardie in 1988 as a machine operator and had the opportunity to study a diploma in management and a diploma in electrical engineering. Over 35 years later, Kenny is now a production team leader. He manages the team’s safety and performance to improve production quality in a safe environment.

“This job gives me the satisfaction of improving our Zero Harm culture. I’m proud to be employed by James Hardie as it has given me broad experience and knowledge of the Australian market.”

Khanh Luong – Quality Coordinator

As a refugee from the Asia-Pacific region in the 1980’s, Khanh was looking for a secure job to support his young family. He started off as James Hardie as a general hand, and over the years has tried his hand at many other roles, including machine operator, forklift driver and quality control lab technician. Now, 43 years later, Khanh is a lab coordinator and still enjoying his time at James Hardie.

“James Hardie presents employees with opportunities to better their skills. I am glad to see our products being used across the local industries and am very proud to contribute to making Australian Made products.”

Naomi Smith – Stores

Naomi has been with James Hardie since 2020 in the Stores team, controlling the pallet supply for Carole Park plant. Naomi thrived on the challenges presented by COVID supply chain issues and bushfires that had caused a timber shortage.

“I really like that the many different departments, roles, trades and operations on site mean that I am guaranteed to learn something new every day. James Hardie provides a supportive, caring environment to work in, where I feel like a valued team member. To me, James Hardie being Australian Made means we are directly contributing to our national economy, and skilled workers can work in their chosen fields due to availability of local jobs.”

Reginald Ram – Line Manager

Reginald joined James Hardie when he was just 20 years old. He started at the pipe factory, working in finishing. His team leader at the time recognised Reginald’s developing leadership skills in me and steered him down this management path. Reginald went on to become the youngest team leader in James Hardie Australia’s manufacturing history. Over 24 years later, Reginald is now a line manager on a sheet machine.

“Time flies when having fun! James Hardie gives great career opportunities to everyday employees like me. They build their people up with training, education and recognition.”