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About OUR company

Over the past 60 years, Tapex Group has built its culture on three key platforms:

  • Customer first
  • Respect the individual
  • Innovation in everything we do

Tapex Industrial is part of the Tapex Group of companies, a privately-owned Australian company that commenced operations in 1957 and based its success on customer focus, innovation, and superior service.

Our stakeholder relationships are at the centre of everything we do, as is our commitment to a sustainable environment and giving back to our community.

 

Our Divisions

The Tapex Packaging Solutions product range provides the original and best in twines for protection and containment across multiple applications.

Tapex has been a pioneer in packaging and containment systems since 1957, when it developed and manufactured synthetic flat strapping, an industry first in Australia. The Tapex® and Kinnears® brand names are synonymous with synthetic twines in the industrial sector, producing the right products for waste baling, food packaging and for moving pallets of goods in and from warehouses, for over 60 years.

DIGSAFE® products provide solutions that warn, detect, and protect Australia’s critical infrastructure assets.

DIGSAFE® is also a part of Tapex Industrial, supplying excavation safety solutions that reduce maintenance costs caused by unintended pipeline and cable strikes. Third-party strikes on buried infrastructure have become an increasing issue as more utilities move underground and trenchless installation technologies are deployed. At best, pipe or cable strikes are costly and disruptive – at worst, they can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life.

The DIGSAFE® range includes detectable warning tapes and meshes, hard cable covers, HDPE protection plates, marker posts and signage, RFID systems, tracer wires, and rock shields. Site safety products are also part of the Dig SAFE® range, including hi-viz barrier fencing, bunting, and custom safety tapes to protect your workers from onsite hazards.

WARN, DETECT, and PROTECT with DIGSAFE®!


Our history

 

The Tapex vision is simple – by investing in the best technology and people, we are providing a world-class product with unparalleled service.

The history of Tapex is steeped in innovation and family values. Tracing back to the 1880’s, our owner and Principal, Philip Rossi’s great-grandparents emigrated from Italy and started the business that has developed into the Tapex Group today.

The Tapex Company started in 1957 when Theo Rossi had the vision to build a laminating machine to successfully manufacture the world’s first synthetic flat strapping. One thing that has remained constant over four generations of business is our passion for innovation and providing our customers with the highest quality product and services. We have the capability to deliver on any size project, while remaining flexible and customer-focussed.

1957

Business begins for the newly incorporated Tapex, founded by Theo Rossi. Tapex commences the manufacturing and sales of synthetic flat strapping, which was the first of its kind in the world, from its premises in Waterloo, Sydney NSW.

1962

Tapex becomes the first company in the Southern Hemisphere to extrude polypropylene.

1970

First range of baling twine is produced for the agricultural market.

1980

  • Developed the first plastic barricade fencing for road and work sites.
  • Developed the first underground detectable warning tape to protect telecommunication cables.

1992

  • Philip Rossi acquired the company.
  • A new range of biological filters was developed for the treatment of greywater and industrial waste products.

1999

  • Tapex expanded its operations to New Zealand.

2000

  • New headquarters established at Kingsgrove, Sydney, NSW.
  • Tapex acquired the remaining 50% share in Tapex Victoria.
  • Tapex installed the first of two state-of-the-art Barmag extrusion lines for the manufacture and supply of synthetic grass yarns to Australasia and global markets.

2002

  • Tapex acquired the company assets of ‘Kinnears’, the iconic Australian rope, twine, and cordage company.

2004

  • Tapex was named in Business Review Weekly (BRW) ‘Fastest 100’ for the second year running, one of only two manufacturing companies on the list.

2005

  • Tapex developed a yarn used in the world’s first waterless hockey pitch laid in Victoria.

2006

  • Tapex acquired Agpac in New Zealand and Australia, establishing Tapex’s position as the largest crop packaging supplier in Australasia.

2007

  • Tapex acquired Empak New Zealand, strengthening Tapex’s position as a leading supplier of both horticultural and viticultural textiles and twines.

2009

  • Tapex launched Plasback Recycling Strategy.

2011

  • Tapex launched its horticulture business in Australia.

2012

  • Tapex built a new Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Centre in Victoria.
  • Tapex Grass Yarns used in Hockey surfaces at the London Olympics.

2013

  • Tapex opened a new world-class manufacturing facility in Ho Chi Minh City,
    Vietnam, to supply its key brands of Agricultural and industrial twines to the
    Australasian and global markets.
  • Tapex acquired the Industrial business of Boddingtons Australia.
  • Tapex acquired the horticultural textile business of Scarecrow

2014

  • Tapex sold its synthetic grass manufacturing business to APT Polytan.

2015

  • Tapex acquired a 50% shareholding in Polyfabrics Australasia, a leading supplier of construction fabrics and related products to the civil, landscape, and building construction sectors across Australia.

2017

  • Tapex sold its Australian Agri division to the Tama Plastic Industry.
  • Tapex Group acquired the remaining 50% shareholding in Polyfabrics Australasia, moving to 100% control of the company.
  • Tapex Group sold its shareholding in Vietnam manufacturing facility to Tama
    Plastic Industry.
  • Tapex acquired Donaghys Crop Packaging business in New Zealand.

2019

  • Tapex Group acquired GreenLife Structures, a leading Greenhouse
    manufacturer with operations based in Ballina, NSW.

2021

  • Tapex Group sold the Polyfabrics Geosynthetic construction division.
  • Tapex Group sold Agpac, Donaghys Crop Packaging, and Plasback businesses in New Zealand.

2023

  • Tapex Group acquires Elite Tunnels Ltd UK business, a leading global manufacturer of the Horticulture Polytunnel system for the grower.
  • Tapex Group acquires Redpath Ideal Greenhouses Pty Ltd, a leading manufacturer of greenhouses for the Horticultural and Agricultural sectors.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Tapex Group companies support the wider community through The Rossi Foundation, which was established by Company Principal, Philip Rossi. The foundation supports multiple charities involving hearing-impaired children, cancer and other major disease research, indigenous education and women’s refuge centres.


Environmental Sustainability

Commitment to the Environment is at the forefront of our actions, including solar powered and water conservation installations at our operations. One of the Group’s entities is GreenLifeGRO, a leading manufacturer and installer of the latest designs in greenhouse structures available within Australia, using green technology to maximise food production within the Horticulture sector.


Corporate Responsibility and a Commitment to Safer Work

The DIGSAFE® product range is designed to offer solutions to protect the nation’s infrastructure assets.

The extensive product range of warning tapes, detectable wire and the distribution rights to the global leading brand, OVERPIPE HDPE protection plates, protects assets across Australia in the resources, utilities and communication sectors.


Corporate responsibility

 

SO THEY CAN

“ubuntu” – “I am because of you”

So They Can works together with communities and their governments in Kenya and Tanzania to educate and empower, so they can break the poverty cycle, realise their own potential and meet their own needs. As a not-for-profit organisation registered in Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Tanzania and the United States, education is at the core of everything they do.
Tapex Group is a proud supporter and contributor to the “So They Can” charity organisations. In addition to a continuing sponsorship of student Nancy Wangui, Tapex Group has donated over 1,000 educational textbooks to Abadare Ranges Primary School to assist with their syllabus.

THE SHEPHERD CENTRE

The Shepherd Centre is a world leader in the field of early intervention Listening and Spoken Language therapy that enables children who are deaf and hearing-impaired to develop spoken language.