Kulbardi: Indigenous business supplying Commonwealth workplaces
Indigenous office supplies business Kulbardi is providing the Commonwealth government with office and workwear supplies under the Indigenous Procurement Policy.
Perth based business Kulbardi is the largest majority Indigenous owned office and stationery supplier in Australia.
The Supply Nation certified company, established in 2013, lives by its motto, ‘doornjil yoordininy’ which means coming together to create and sustain partnerships for mutual growth.
Through its joint venture partner Quick Corporate Australia, Kulbardi’s seven full-time staff work with a national workforce of 130 leaving a footprint in each state and territory.
CEO of Kulbardi Kim Collard said the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy had enabled the company to gain traction in achieving its vision of becoming a preferred supplier for Australian Government agencies.
“The economy has slowed in Western Australia,” Kim said.
“However, because the economy has picked up on the East Coast we have been able to employ two new Business Development Managers to grow our business in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and particularly Canberra where many Commonwealth Government departments are procuring the services of Aboriginal owned companies like Kulbardi.”
“It is my belief that Kulbardi’s growth can be partially attributed to the IPP, with the hope of more opportunities being created.”
Kulbardi has secured 67 contracts from four Commonwealth departments to provide office equipment and supplies. In 2015-16 these contracts were valued at around $390,000.
Experienced in supplying office equipment to the mining and forestry industries, Kulbardi assists companies to comply with Australian environmental standards.
“Most importantly, our newly released Indigenous branded BIBBULMUN copy paper is Carbon Neutral certified, with the National Carbon Offset Standard,” Kim said.
The company is not just about expansion and profits but diverts part of total sales into a Community Investment Model known as the Kulbardi Fund.
“As a good corporate citizen we want to be seen by the market place to be ‘giving back’ to the community,” Kim said.
“We contribute to numeracy and literacy programs, scholarships, youth and elders programs and youth entrepreneurship programs.”
Kim Collard said the future is looking bright for Kulbardi.
“We continue to forecast growth of market share in the office and stationery supply industry which will equate to increased employment opportunities across our business.”
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The Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) was introduced to leverage the Commonwealth’s annual multi-billion procurement spend. It has increased the demand for Indigenous goods and services, is stimulating Indigenous economic development and is growing the Indigenous business sector.
Supply Nation maintains a free register of Indigenous businesses that connects Indigenous businesses such as Kulbardi with government departments and corporates.