Episode 52 -- Phil Scardigno and Corey White from The Hygiene Co
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Welcome to this special episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations with Brent Balinski, one which we're running as part of our quest to identify Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers.
Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers is a new campaign by @AuManufacturing. It has been made possible by the generous support of MYOB, SMC Corporation Australia, and Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions. Be sure to check our website and social media channels for regular updates, including profiles of nominees and other information.
In this episode we hear from Phil Scardigno and Corey White, co-founders at The Hygiene Co, which has its origins in the Covid crisis of 2020 and is now trying to rid the nation of plastic-based wet wipes while offering a locally-made, more sustainable option. According to the founders' figures, 96 per cent of all wet wipes in Australia are imported.
(We apologise for some slight issues with audio quality in this episode. There were IT hiccups and we had to resort to an emergency backup recording.)
Episode guide
1:08 – About the company and its 2020 origins producing wipes for aged care facilities during the Covid crisis.
2:16 – Corey joins the business.
3:08 – 96 per cent of wet wipes are imported. Who makes the other 4 per cent?
5:02 – Counting the tonnes of plastic wipes going into landfill.
5:55 – The weight of wet wipes thrown out represents 30 times that of plastic straws.
6:50 – The company’s products and commercial partners at this stage.
8:35 – What people are doing in the UK and why Australians haven’t followed suit yet.
9:19 – Bamboo and viscose are imported due to a lost ability to make fabrics out of fibre in Australia.
11:24 – What innovation means at the company
13:23 – Developing Australia’s first certified flushable fabric, and how they worked with customers to identify uses for it.
15:58 – Planning for a launch of their new automated line next month.
16:50 – The cash management difficulties in manufacturing versus running an import business.
Relevant links
The Hygiene Co.'s website
https://www.thehygieneco.com.au/
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