Having been launched in 1869, Onkaparinga reaches a milestone this year as it celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Established in South Australia by two German brothers that had migrated to Australia bringing weaving machinery with them, Onkaparinga has survived through tough times to become one of Australia’s most loved bedding brands.
Onkaparinga’s first years were built on Australian wool, blankets, clothing and even upholstery. The traditional colourful, plaid blankets in soft Australian wool were a part of so many Australian households well into the 1950s and beyond.
Many stories of blankets kept as family heirlooms, still on beds to this day in some cases are still heard every day. Now almost a collector’s item, the vintage Onkaparinga blankets are a rare find and in today’s society almost a thing of the past.
In 2013, William McNeil took over the bedding brand while he was looking to build his successful family run textile business into the future.
“In the small amount of time William A McNeil has been the proud owner of the Onkaparinga brand we have successfully seen Onkaparinga grow into a lifestyle brand,” says Alicia Woods.
“We are now consistently seen online and in many major retailers. We have added to our homewares and bed linen collections, expanded our beautiful baby bedding range and built a ‘lifestyle’ brand that is proving to be timeless.”
To celebrate this special occasion the company will bring back the Australian wool blanket in two styles.
“Our anniversary year brings the opportunity to bring back a luxurious Australian wool blanket collection, a beautiful addition to any home, a gift to yourself or someone you love that will last long enough to become a story of your own. Create a new family heirloom.
“We proudly manufacture from only Australian washable wool for longevity and quality in each and every quilt. Our Australian made Australian wool quilt as part of the collection moving into our 150th year is a nod to our heritage in one quilt.
“Committed to celebrating our heritage in 2019 we begin manufacturing Australian wool bedding on site and in house at our Melbourne facility. Our own link to our history, bringing back Australian made.”
While the brand has not wavered from timeless, premium bedding and homewares throughout its 150 years, the way business is done has definitely changed for William McNeil.
“Moving into an ecommerce business and sharing our products online as well as in retail has changed the way we do business over the years. In a retail environment you can touch and feel a product and fall in love with it. In an online environment, our product must be shown in the very best light, sold only to quality online retailers or sold through our own platform. With online pricing comparisons and information at your fingertips it has changed the way we market, package and sell our products.
“However, we continue the tradition of Australian wool bedding with through quality quilts, in weights to suit the Australian climate year-round,” adds Woods.
“Luxurious homewares and bedding from all over the world is the future of Onkaparinga today. We aspire to being one of Australia’s largest homewares and bedding brands, distinguished by our quality.”
By Marion Gerritsen
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