TAIT MARKS 30 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
MEDIA KIT
2023
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
IMAGES
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
Tait is an Australia-based furniture design and manufacturing company that was founded in 1992 by husband and wife duo, Gordon and Susan Tait.
At the time, sheet metal craftsman Gordon and creative textile designer Susan noticed a lack of well-designed, high-quality outdoor products reflective of Australia's outdoor lifestyle and capable of withstanding the country's harsh elements.
30 years on and Tait has established a reputation as one of the leading contemporary designer for outdoor living in Australia.
Tait’s design philosophy is based on its manufacturing heritage, prioritising quality and
craftsmanship in each piece.
Led by Susan and Gordon, the Tait team consists of passionate designers and craftspeople refining and prototyping ideas from their local Melbourne factory and a team of dedicated sales and industry professionals who work in their elevated retail spaces in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane.
The result is a range of sophisticated, well-made products that stand the test of time, each piece featuring the Tait "Makers Mark" symbolising its quality and authenticity.
In addition to its focus on craftsmanship, Tait is committed to sustainable practices. The company offsets 25 tonnes of C02 per year, equivalent to saving 631 trees or driving 98,000 kilometres. Tait also diverts almost one tonne of soft plastics from landfill each year.
Tait designs with the focus of creating products which are easily refurbished, extending their life and minimising impact on the environment.
Tait is also a Gold Member sponsor of the Authentic Design Alliance, a group of leading Australian design suppliers committed to working to promote the value of investing in authentic Australian design and combatting design theft.
Since inception, Tait has been recognised in the industry for its award-winning design projects, collaborations and exhibitions of work.
2023 marks 30 years of Tait being owned and operated in Australia, committed to shining a light on Australian designers and creating high performance design for global audiences.
HIGH PERFORMANCE DESIGN
A commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability is at the forefront of Tait's design philosophy. Since its establishment in 1992, the company has been committed to achieving best practice sustainability measures throughout all areas of their business. Their efforts have resulted in impressive outcomes, including offsetting 25 tonnes of CO2 per year - equivalent to saving 631 trees or driving 98,000kms - and diverting almost 1 tonne of soft plastics from landfill each year.
Tait's commitment to sustainability extends to their manufacturing processes as well. Two-thirds of Tait's premises operate on high-powered solar systems, and 100% of their facilities use energy-saving LED lighting. The company also works closely with suppliers to source sustainably-grown timbers and recyclable materials, designing products for life with refurbishment opportunities extending life and reducing waste.
In addition to their environmental efforts, Tait is also committed to ethical and social responsibility. As designers and manufacturers of authentic Australian-made outdoor furniture, they are proud members of the Authentic Design
Alliance, which fights against design theft in Australia and promotes the value of investing in authentic Australian design.
Tait's commitment to sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility is evident in the high-quality, long-lasting products they produce.
Susan Tait
Creative Director
Gordon Tait
Founding Director
For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Suzanne Tonks
Oliver and York
0488774438
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Outdoor furniture in Australia by nature faces the harshest of conditions, with each piece requiring an unwavering dedication to deliver functional benefits that withstand the environment, while presenting as a calm and inviting focal point to be welcomed into the most intimate of personal spaces.
Such is the story of Tait, an Australia-born contemporary furniture design company which has weathered 30 years in the industry to emerge as an advocate for design, high performance and craftsmanship.
Established in 1992 by husband and wife duo, Gordon and Susan Tait, Tait emerged from the founders noticing an absence of well-designed, well-made outdoor products in the market, reflective of Australia’s enviable outdoor lifestyle and built to withstand the harsh elements.
From their small factory in Melbourne, Gordon, a sheet metal craftsman, and Susan, a creative textile designer, began developing ideas and formulating concepts to bring into the homes of Australians.
“With each new piece, our approach was to refine and prototype, at times to a fault, in order to ensure Tait products would stand up to the harsh outdoor conditions inherent to the lifestyle of Australians,” said Gordon.
“In the 90’s, building high performance outdoor furniture was new and innovative in the outdoor design space, and today we find our approach still resonates.”
The Tait design philosophy is shaped by a strong manufacturing heritage, steeped in quality and craftsmanship.
It is a place of design and making, where products are carefully crafted demonstrating a resolved sophistication in each facet of the design and manufacturing process.
Fast forward 30 years and Tait today is known for its commitment to high-quality design and manufacturing, while also placing emphasis on the high performance of furniture over time.
Tait offsets 25 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to saving 631 trees or driving 98,000 kilometres. Tait also diverts almost one tonne of soft plastics per year from landfill.
"Understanding who, where, and how our products are made, the ethical and environmental impacts involved, and how raw materials are sourced is part of a growing consciousness toward responsible consumerism," said Gordon.
"We are focused on continually improving our sustainability outcomes, offering transparency across our operations while producing beautiful, high-performing, authentic design made to last."
As a Gold Member sponsor and supporter of the Authentic Design Alliance, Tait is proud to join the fight against design theft in Australia, promoting the value and importance of investing in authentic Australian design.
"As Tait marks 30 years, we invite customers to refresh their space with Tait’s high performance range, celebrating the history of Australian-made and designed pieces while looking to the future," said Gordon.