Australian Made: Celebrating Innovation, Resilience, and Growth
Most Aussies recognise the green and gold label with the kangaroo. It means a product is Australian-made or grown, and buying it supports local businesses.
I know I’m more likely to choose something with the Australian Made logo, and I’m not alone. Over 90% of Australians prefer locally made products. It’s the country’s most trusted and recognised origin symbol, with 99% of Australians familiar with it.
But Australia Made is more than just a logo. Backed by a strict accreditation system, it guarantees that products carrying it are genuinely Australian.
One company that proudly upholds this commitment is Speedpanel, a leading manufacturer of fire and acoustic rated wall systems. Every Speedpanel product is designed and manufactured right here in Australia, helping to strengthen local industries and deliver the quality that customers trust.
And Speedpanel isn’t just focused on maintaining its Australian Made certification — it’s also looking ahead. By partnering with SugarCRM, Speedpanel is streamlining operations, strengthening customer relationships, and setting itself up for a future of sustainable, local growth.
I’m Adam Frank, Vice President and General Manager at SugarCRM in the Asia Pacific, and I’m proud to work alongside innovative Aussie companies that are embracing both tradition and technology to lead the way forward.
One such company is Speedpanel, a standout example of what it means to build locally and think globally.
Spotlight on Innovation: Speedpanel
I’ve been privileged to witness SugarCRM customer Speedpanel lead the way in the manufacturing sector.
Speedpanel is a great example of an Australian-made business that’s not just surviving—but leading—through smart use of technology.
They manufacture lightweight, fire rated, and acoustic wall systems used by builders and developers across the country. But what really sets them apart is how they’ve embraced tech to run faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
We recently caught up with Peter Lorenc, Speedpanel’s National Sales and Marketing Manager, to talk about how they’re staying ahead of the curve.
“Being an Australian-made company is about more than just local manufacturing,” Peter said. “It’s about leading the industry with innovation and quality. We use technology like Sugar to improve everything from lead times to certification processes.”
– Peter L., National Sales and Marketing Manager, Speedpanel
How Does this Look?
Here’s how Speedpanel uses SugarCRM to make real improvements across their business:
- Project management: All workflows are centralised in one place, making it easier for teams to collaborate and move faster.
- Material forecasting: Data-driven insights help them stay ahead of demand and avoid supply chain delays.
- Onsite inspections: Compliance checks are digital, which speeds things up and reduces risk.
Real Results
Speedpanel has cut down admin time by 50% reclaiming 30+ hours per month across the project team that could’ve been spent on review. They improved operations and built systems that are ready to scale. Here are some other ways that SugarCRM helps Speedpannel adhere to the Australian Made standard and sustain future growth in the Australian landscape:
- Real-Time Issue Resolution: On-site reporting speeds up rectifications by 2–3 days per project, potentially saving 30–45 days per year across all projects.
- Smarter Training & Risk Mitigation: Identifying recurring compliance issues allows Speedpanel to offer targeted training—reducing costly rectifications and strengthening builder trust.
- Smarter Training & Risk Mitigation: Identifying recurring compliance issues allows Speedpanel to offer targeted training—reducing costly rectifications and strengthening builder trust.
- Standardised Compliance Processes: A pre-configured library of non-compliances ensures streamlined assessments, reducing disputes and inconsistencies.
That’s the real value of smart tech: it’s not just about automating tasks—it’s about building a foundation that supports growth, safety, and long-term success.
If you’re in manufacturing and looking to improve how your business runs, Speedpanel’s story is worth taking notes from.
The Road Ahead for Australian Manufacturers
With government support increasing and technology evolving rapidly, Australian manufacturers have a unique opportunity to future-proof their businesses. Alongside SugarCRM, I’m excited to help Australian businesses seize this moment and become future-ready.
For more insights on leveraging technology to drive manufacturing success like Speedpanel, download our CRM Buyer’s Guide for Manufacturers. The guide will teach you how automation, AI-driven analytics, and smart integrations can help future-proof your business.
