By CASEY NEILL
BOSS Products in Dandenong is leading the way in construction finishing materials.
“All our competitors are focusing on price and competing with each other in that way,” managing director Michael Boss said.
“We focus on quality and innovation. We offer a better product.”
The business held an open day for the building industry on 28 March to launch new stone cladding and metallic panelling products it’s distributing with Terraco.
Boss is the exclusive Australian agent for the Swedish global leader – a long way from its start as a shoe component manufacturer in the early 1980s.
Michael’s dad Trevor started the business in Dandenong and it was among the biggest in its field before Trevor pre-empted a textile industry downturn and moved into automotive.
“About five years ago we saw the writing on the wall for that,” Michael said.
“We started in mouldings and construction. The car side of the business is still going, but is slowly dying.”
Through all the changes, Boss has remained in Dandenong.
“I grew up in North Dandenong and we’ve had factories in and around Dandenong for years,” Michael said.
“It’s the perfect place to locate a business.
“All the infrastructure, close to freeways…”
Michael said the business would keep developing, growing and innovating.
“The idea is to make high-end finishes available at a low cost and light weight,” he said.
The latest products mirror bluestone, stack stone cladding, aluminium cladding and copper panelling for “less than half the cost and less than half the weight and construction time”.
“We spend so much on research and development,” he said.
“We’re re-investing and stepping forward and employing more people and growing.”
Boss Products recently picked up a bronze medal for its display at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and was last year nominated for several Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Regional Business Awards.
“It’s just nice to get a pat on the back,” Michael said.
“We’ll have another crack at it this year with these new products.”
