About Us — Banksia Home Co | Melbourne, Est. 1999

Skilled craftsperson working timber in the Banksia Home Co workshop

1999

Est. Melbourne

Our Story

Built on Craftsmanship, Rooted in Australia

Banksia Home Co was founded in 1999 by brothers James and Robert Whitfield in a 400 square metre workshop in Footscray, Melbourne. What started as a two-man operation making custom kitchen tables for local restaurants quickly grew into a full-scale manufacturing business serving furniture retailers across Victoria.

Today, our factory at 45 Machinery Row, Port Melbourne spans over 6,000 square metres and employs 78 full-time staff — from master craftspeople and cabinet makers to logistics coordinators and customer service specialists. We remain proudly family-owned and family-run, with the second generation of the Whitfield family now leading the business forward.

Our manufacturing philosophy has never changed: use the finest Australian timbers, pay fair wages to skilled workers, and build furniture that lasts for decades rather than seasons. In a market flooded with flat-pack imports, we believe the enduring value of a piece made by hand, in Australia, by people who care, is something customers will always return to.

Get in Touch

Our Journey

25 Years in the Making

Key milestones that shaped who we are today.

1999

The Beginning — Footscray Workshop

James and Robert Whitfield open a 400m² workshop in Footscray with a single CNC router, three apprentices and a vision to create Australian-made furniture that lasts. First clients: local cafes and restaurants in inner Melbourne.

2003

First Wholesale Partnership

Secured first wholesale contract with Natural Living Furniture (Sydney), supplying the Ironbark Dining Collection. This partnership continues to this day and remains our largest retail stockist.

2007

Move to Port Melbourne Factory

Outgrowing Footscray, we relocated to our current 6,000m² purpose-built facility at 45 Machinery Row, Port Melbourne. New equipment included two state-of-the-art CNC machining centres and a dedicated spray-finishing bay.

2010

PEFC Certification Achieved

Became one of the first Australian furniture manufacturers to achieve PEFC chain-of-custody certification, formalising our commitment to sustainably sourced timber. This certification continues to be renewed annually.

2013

National Wholesale Network — 200 Dealers

Crossed the milestone of 200 wholesale dealer accounts across all states and territories. Opened a dedicated showroom at 180 Bridge Road, Richmond to service Melbourne-based retail clients.

2017

Hospitality Division Launched

Established a dedicated Hospitality & Commercial division to serve hotels, restaurants and developers. First major contract: furniture package for a 150-room hotel in Docklands, Melbourne.

2021

Second Generation Takes the Helm

Emma Whitfield (CEO) and Tom Whitfield (COO) assume leadership as founders James and Robert transition to advisory roles. New product lines launched, including the Riverwood Bedroom Collection.

2024

500+ Wholesale Partners & Expansion Plans

Celebrated 500 active wholesale accounts and announced plans for a second manufacturing facility in Adelaide to better serve South Australian and West Australian markets. Production capacity increases by 35%.

How We Build

Our Manufacturing Process

From sustainably sourced log to polished piece — every step happens right here in Port Melbourne.

01

Timber Selection

All timber is hand-selected from PEFC-certified Australian suppliers. Our Head of Procurement personally inspects each batch for grain, moisture content and structural integrity before it enters our mill.

02

Precision Machining

State-of-the-art CNC machining centres cut each component to tolerances of ±0.1mm. Where machines can't replicate the human hand, our cabinet makers take over with traditional joinery techniques.

03

Hand Assembly & QC

Experienced craftspeople hand-assemble each piece, checking every joint and surface. A rigorous quality control inspection is completed before any item progresses to finishing.

04

Finishing & Dispatch

Our finishing team applies oils, stains or lacquers in a climate-controlled booth for a perfect, durable result. Pieces are wrapped and palletised in-house before dispatch to our logistics partner.

Our Commitment

Sustainability at Our Core

We believe beautiful furniture and responsible environmental stewardship are not in conflict — they are inseparable. Every decision we make, from timber sourcing to packaging, is guided by our environmental commitments.

PEFC Certified — All timber sourced from certified, sustainably managed Australian forests and plantations.

Zero Landfill — 98% of our timber offcuts are repurposed: small pieces go to a local firewood co-op, sawdust to a composting facility.

Water-Based Finishes — We transitioned to water-based lacquers and oils across 90% of our range in 2022, significantly reducing VOC emissions.

Solar Powered — Our Port Melbourne factory's rooftop solar array provides 60% of our electricity needs year-round.

Learn More About Our Practices

Meet the Team

The People Behind the Craft

A passionate team of craftspeople, designers and industry professionals committed to the art of Australian furniture making.

Emma Whitfield

Chief Executive Officer

Emma joined the family business in 2012 after completing a Bachelor of Business at Melbourne University. She leads strategic direction, national sales partnerships and new product development. Passionate about sustainable manufacturing and the future of Australian industry.

Tom Whitfield

Chief Operating Officer

Tom oversees day-to-day factory operations, logistics and quality assurance. A qualified cabinet maker himself, Tom brings hands-on experience to operational leadership. Under his management, production efficiency has increased by 28% since 2021.

Marcus Kowalczyk

Head of Design

Marcus trained in industrial design at RMIT and spent seven years with a Danish furniture house before bringing his expertise back to Australia. He leads the Banksia Home Co design studio and is the creative force behind the award-shortlisted Riverwood Collection.

Patricia Luong

National Sales Manager

Patricia manages relationships with our 500+ wholesale partner network. With 15 years in furniture wholesale and retail, she understands every angle of the industry. Patricia personally onboards each new wholesale partner and ensures every account receives dedicated support.

Our Partners

Trusted Supplier Partnerships

We work with a carefully selected network of Australian suppliers who share our values of sustainability, quality and fair business practice.

Victorian Sustainable Timber

Our primary hardwood supplier operating across certified plantation and couped forest areas in Gippsland and the Central Highlands. Supplying us with Victorian ash, spotted gum and messmate since 2003.

Tassie Hardwoods Co-op

A Tasmanian farmer-owned co-operative providing us with premium Tasmanian oak and blackwood. Their commitment to ecosystem-sensitive harvesting aligns perfectly with our own environmental values.

Dunlop Upholstery & Foam

Australian manufacturer supplying the high-density, long-life foam used in all our upholstered products. Their CertiPUR certified foam ensures no harmful chemicals enter our customers' homes.

Melbourne Metal Fabricators

Local supplier of custom steel and brass hardware including drawer runners, hinges and decorative legs. Melbourne-based family business providing fast turnaround on custom specifications for our commercial division.

Wetterhall Textiles — Victoria

Geelong-based textile supplier providing Australian wool-blend and cotton fabrics for upholstered product lines. Their fabric range spans over 80 colourways and is tested to 50,000 rub Martindale for durability.

National Furniture Logistics

Our exclusive freight partner specialising in white-glove furniture delivery. Operating a fleet of purpose-equipped trucks, they handle all deliveries nationally with our signature two-person delivery and placement service.