EMU TAKES FLIGHT
COMPANY SPREADS ITS WINGS TO U.S. MARKET
A TOWNSVILLE business known for cutting-edge sports apparel is ready to launch an assault on the American market.
EMU Sportswear has felt the pinch of COVID-19 as much as anyone else, but it hasn’t let it deter it from kicking goals.
Managing director John Short said the company was in a strong position prior to the pandemic, which has allowed it to stay afloat.
Working closely with the Queensland Rugby League as well as local sporting clubs such as Centrals ASA, North Ward Rugby Union and Rebels FC, EMU Sportswear has built up a loyal clientele through relentless hard work. Mr Short said it was why the company had been turning heads in the UK for the past five years under its international name EV2 Sportswear. It’s the success in the UK that has led Mr Short to now bring his American dream to life.
He said his team was ready to start churning out slick American football, baseball and ice hockey kits. “We’ve got a contact in the US to represent us. At the moment we’re finalising our website, price lists, products. We’re about to launch,” he said.
“It will take a while for us to build up our reputation over there. The hardest part will be to convince them the way we do it is better than the way they’re doing it now. They just buy the Nike stuff from the store. It won’t happen overnight, we’ve got to work hard. Australians are known for sport and we are good at what we do so we should be able to take that to the world.”
A TOWNSVILLE business known for cutting-edge sports apparel is ready to launch an assault on the US market.
EMU Sportswear has felt the pinch of COVID-19 as much as anyone else, but it hasn’t let it deter it from kicking goals.
Managing director John Short said the company was in a strong position prior to the pandemic, which has allowed them to stay afloat.
“It’s been a bit difficult, our sales went through the floor,” Mr Short said.
“I sat down with our people, they had nothing to do because our sales had stopped and were scared.
“We decided to keep everyone on and roll up our sleeves and keep going.
“During this time we’ve all upskilled, all the staff know how to make websites, design and do graphics.
“Our online features now allow customers to design and customise their own products, order them and pay for them.
“Australians are resilient and I think our guys have been incredible.”
Working closely with the Queensland Rugby League as well as local sporting clubs such as Centrals ASA, North Ward Rugby Union and Rebels FC, EMU Sportswear has built up a loyal clientele base through relentless hard work.
Mr Short said it was why the company had been turning heads in the UK for the past five years under its international name EV2 Sportswear.
“We’re quick, on time and designed well. The rest of the world hasn’t been doing what we’ve been doing in Australia,” he said.
“We started showing people there how we can completely customise a jersey or kit and they say they’ve never seen anything like it.
“People there still buy jerseys from the shop and stick numbers on the back of them. They love what we do … it’s been crazy.”
It’s the success in the UK that has led Mr Short to now bring his American dream to life.
He said his team was ready to start churning out slick American football, baseball and ice hockey kits.
“We’ve got a contact in the US to represent us. At the moment we’re finalising our website, price lists, products. We’re about to launch,” he said.
“It will take a while for us to build up our reputation over there. The hardest part will be to convince them the way we do it is better than the way they’re doing it now. They just buy the Nike stuff from the store.
“It won’t happen overnight, we’ve got to work hard.
“Australians are known for sport and we are good at what we do so we should be able to take that to the world.”
I think our guys have been incredible