Australian Made Awards 2025 | 6 Contract manufacturing has long been big business in Australia, and it perfectly reflects the Australianmade ethos celebrated in this awards programme. In the realm of private-label hair, skin, pet, and body care – which comprises a major part of contract manufacturing across the country – Elite Blends stands head and shoulders above the rest, this as a result of its combination of a comprehensive service suite and the effectiveness of its delivery right across it. For more on this award-winning brand, we caught up with Jody Eade, who started this family business alongside her partner. Best Private-Label Hair & Beauty Products Manufacturer 2025 Elite Blends is proud to be an Australian-owned contract manufacturer, with its teams specialising in contract manufacturing across skin, hair, and beauty products for companies working in the cosmetics industry, both at home in Australia and overseas. Services provided by the company include developing the formula and the product, as well as filling and packing. All of its work is done according to the latest GMP and ISO guidelines, with the ongoing search for new ingredients helping its clients’ products stand out in the market. Regardless of whether a client requests a small or a much larger batch of their chosen product, the top-of-the-line factory operated by Elite Blends in New South Wales can cater for their needs. Likewise, an equally robust inhouse laboratory specialising in research and development sees new formulations created or tweaks made to existing ones with accuracy and ease. This laboratory is also used to test production batches, something carried out according to the strictest parameters to make sure the quality of its products is consistent. As for what these products look like, Elite Blends covers all bases across the areas of skin, hair, beauty, and pet products, offering everything from shampoos and conditioners through to hair waxes, beard oils, children’s bubble bath, anti-bacterial hand sanitisers, pet wash, and more. Distinguishing the company across every one of these provisions – something important to note given that manufacturing costs keep rising – is its quality. Countries abroad may offer cheaper manufacturing, but – as they say – you get what you pay for. Something else separating Elite Blends from the competition is the honest, reliable, and moral environment it continuously nurtures for its clients and its staff members alike. With Jody and her partner Anita having built the company on trust and confidence from day one, ensuring that these same values are embodied across its operation is something that remains incredibly important to them. Jody commented: “My partner and I are personally proud to show our children what can be achieved if you follow your dreams and put the work in.” Beginning in the spare room of their house, Elite Blends was built around family life, as Jody and Anita had young children to look after in between all of the hard work it takes to get a business off the ground. Today, over ten years later, the brand has grown significantly, but the family ethos it was built around continues to govern its entire operation. As Jody explained: “We are flexible with our staff working hours ensuring balance between work and family life.” The health and wellbeing of all the staff here is also prioritised. All of this feeds into what Jody believes it means to be a true Australian-made business – that is, an enterprise renowned for highquality products, creating local jobs, and providing futures for the families of its employees. As these words demonstrate, this is about something much bigger than just Elite Blends itself, it is about a team of people doing their best to make sure that manufacturing in Australia is something that can continue well into the future, despite the odds being against it in a world where profit is often chosen above ethics. “We create products that we believe are better for the customer and the environment. We try and use plant-based materials as much as possible and we always look for better ways to operate, making sure we consider both the consumer and the planet.” 2026 is set to see more of the same from this multi-award-winning Australian contract manufacturer, which is currently working on some exciting projects for brands that will likely launch later in the year. Beyond this, Jody remains passionate about advocating for local manufacturing, ensuring her children, grandchildren, and so forth can have a future. She believes more must be done by those in charge to support this. Until then, Elite Blends is doing all it can to see that quality beats out cost in contract manufacturing. Contact: Jody Eade Company: Elite Blends Web Address: www.eliteblends.com.au/
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