Manufacturers of High Performance Technical and Industrial Textiles

The Company Based in Melbourne Australia, The Specialty Group was founded in 1978 by Peter Leipnik, an Industrial Chemist. The company started with one small coating line which soon out grew its capacity. As a result the Company grew quite substantially and branched out into several areas of technical textiles involving coatings and laminates. Thirty six years later, The Specialty Group is one of the largest manufacturers of technical textiles in Australia and now produces over 1000 different types of coated, laminated, and composite enhanced products for some 20 plus industries which include: Defence & emergency services, Aerospace, Aeronautical, transport, mining, building and construction, interior furnishings, sportswear, healthcare, work wear, food & beverage, and many more. With two fully equipped laboratories and team of world class scientists, The Specialty Group is a leader in creating world first technologies and setting market trends. The company is ISO9002 accredited, accredited & preferred suppliers to the Australian and New Zealand Departments of Defence, is Oeko-tex 100 certified, Dupont/Huntsman accredited, meets and exceeds EPA guidelines and conforms to Worksafe Australia employment guidelines. In 2009 Peter’s son Daniel was appointed CEO and is continuing to drive the company forward.

The Company Head Office and manufacturing site occupies 35,000 sq. ft. over four interconnected buildings

The Company is a specialist in aqueous and solvent based textile coating, textile lamination and fiberglass resin impregnation.

Awards & Recognitions The Company is a recognised advanced manufacturing firm in Australia and has won the following recent awards: Winner 2013 Australian Government ARENA Renewable Energy Product of the Year Award Winner 2012 Melbourne Business of the Year Award Finalist 2012 Melbourne Business of the Year Finalist 2012 SEA Business of the Year Finalist 2012 Tropical Innovation – Renewable Energy Product Finalist Tropical Innovation – People’s Choice Award National Sales & Marketing Manager, George Lucas, accepting the Award for the Melbourne Business of the Year

Military Fabrics The Specialty Group has been an accredited supplier to the Defence Departments of Australia and New Zealand since As a Defence Recognized Supplier we have earned a reputation for consistent product quality and integrity by meeting the exacting specifications required across a broad range of military fabrics. Military fabrics that are coated and/or laminated by The Specialty Group include: Combat waterproof & breathable Apparel Fabrics Lightweight Tentage Fabrics - Liner/Blackout Curtain Breathable Boot Fabrics Ballistic Vest Fabrics Cordura Field Pack Fabrics - waterproof/DP & Fire Retardant Bivvy Bag Fabrics Tarmac Wet Weather Fabrics Navy Foul Weather Fabric Extreme Cold Weather Fabrics Breathable Medical Tentage Fabrics Individual Shelter Material Fire Retardant Anti Static Polyester Fabrics Laminated Hat Fabrics Windproof Superwash Wool Fleece Fabrics NIR (Near Infrared)

Garment end use applications The following pictures are representative of fabrics manufactured by The Specialty Group and supplied to various Defence Departments for a variety of high performance end use applications.

Article 0713L-NIR CAM is used in desert conditions for ensembles and equipment covers.

Article 0905S-CAM is used by the Australian Navy and Air Force for foul weather jackets and pants.

Article 0727CL is used by the Australian Defence Force and the Mining Industry for Chemical Splash Resistant and Bio-Hazard suits.

Article 0713L-CAM is used by ground troops as a Wet Weather ensemble material

Article 0905S-WARM RED is used by the Australian Navy as a Safety Marine clothing item for saltwater foul weather conditions

Article 902L laminated 3 ply Wool Fleece is used by the Australian Army for extreme cold weather (ECW) layering garments.

At the Specialty Group we work closely with our customers to engineer quality fabrics that meet exacting end use requirements. We would welcome the opportunity to have you as a valued customer.