Edwardstown's Winkle Group diversifies through development of Sneeze Screens

The Winkle Group is a family owned and operated Edwardstown business. Originally started by Desmond Kelly, it is now in the second generation of family ownership by siblings Josh, Hamish and Harmony. The Winkle Group produce commercial and retail joinery from their purpose built warehouse on Weaver Street. The business has been manufacturing in Edwardstown for forty-one years and have been witness to the significant growth and development of Edwardstown as a business district in that time.

The Winkle Group are industry leaders in commercial interior fit-out solutions; and operate on a national level. All joinery is produced in South Australia and transported throughout the country to service their national client base.

Offering a turnkey solution for retailers, medical centres, office spaces and educational institutions has been the core business for forty-two years. Clients range from large national retailers, government departments and councils, to small family operators requiring a retail or office fitout. Manufacturing in a central location in SA allows clients to be involved in the process; and to visit the company’s office and warehouse to see their joinery in production. It also ensures quality control over the joinery and the flexibility to manufacture to suit a variety of budgets.

The company are passionate about supporting young people to obtain a trade qualification. They run an apprenticeship program which sees a new apprentice commence with the company each January for a four-year term. There are currently five apprentices undertaking a Carpentry & Joinery apprenticeship with Winkle Group. The Directors see it as their way of giving back to the industry; and ensuring that Australian manufacturing does not become obsolete and force Australian businesses to buy imported joinery.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 on retailers around Australia, the Winkle Group have been required to adapt and diversify to keep production staff employed and the machinery in operation. The company have developed a Sneeze Screens design for those commercial spaces that have continued to operate through this pandemic. The screens were designed as an efficient solution for countertops where face to face contact with customers and clients has been necessary. The screens have sold extremely well and the feedback from the customers has been excellent. Three different widths of screens are available and the DIY set-up of the screens makes them appealing and cost-effective for businesses. Winkle Group has also been producing custom made sneeze screens and produced all the custom screens for Aldi stores around the state.

More information on the Winkle Group is available on their website – winklegroup.com.au.

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