2024 Business of the Year Winner – ABMT Group
Image: Team ABMT at the 2024 MBEA Awards Night
ABMT is a pioneer in eco-friendly practices in the textile and sustainable fashion industries, and were worthy winners of our Melton Business Excellence Awards 2024 Business of the Year.
ABMT’s facilities feature a 1,470-panel solar array, advanced water treatment, and LED lighting to reduce energy consumption.
As the first certified organic facility in its sector, ABMT prioritises sustainable sourcing, working with wool and cotton growers who value eco-conscious farming.
ABMT uses Good Earth Cotton, Australia’s first carbon-neutral cotton, and integrates recycled PET and nylon where possible.
• ABMT Global headquarters on Ferris Road, Cobblebank
Production Account Manager at ABMT Group, Skye Higgs bridges textile innovation with sustainable fashion.
With expertise in textiles and apparel, she manages client accounts and oversees quality production for eco-conscious brands.
ABMT Group, a leader in green manufacturing since 2003, specialises in circular knit fabrics, driven by its mission to minimise environmental impact.
• Skye Higgs (second from left) and team ABMT at the 2024 MBEA Awards Night
Residing in Wyndham Council and commuting to Cobblebank, Skye enjoys the local charm, from coffee at Madame Dolce to lunch at Hannah Watts Park.
Her career, launched with a BA in Fashion from RMIT, spans over 25 years in design and product development across Australia and London.
Since joining ABMT four years ago, Skye has embraced the opportunity to work with locally sourced, ethical fashion, a focus aligned with her values. Her role involves guiding projects from concept to completion, utilising ABMT’s sustainable fabrics.
Client expectations, especially those used to large-scale offshore production, present challenges, but Skye adapts with agility to maintain timelines.
She’s observed strong support for Australian-made products yet recognises the need for government backing to further the sector.
Through ABMT’s collaboration with the Australian Fashion Council, she hopes for greater workforce development and reduced offshore dependence.
• Skye Higgs inspects a Country Road sweater
ABMT Group responds to retail challenges by diversifying its clientele, partnering with both emerging and established brands.
As an advocate in the Australian textile community, Skye champions sustainable practices to combat the environmental impact of fast fashion.
With a focus on circular fashion and waste reduction, Skye and ABMT aim to build a resilient, sustainable manufacturing future.
Image: ABMT employs 77 staff across their sites in Cobblebank, Thomastown and Sunshine North
Beyond sourcing, ABMT partners with Jolly Ropes to repurpose fabric waste into products for pets and gardening and collaborates with Indigenous communities to transform cotton offcuts into craft paper, adding cultural and sustainable value.
Through Skye’s leadership, ABMT’s commitment to responsible fashion and community engagement is setting a high standard for the industry.
ABMT Location: 100-128 Ferris Rd, Cobblebank, VIC, 3338
Website: www.abmt.com.au
Phone: (03) 9971 7777
Email: sales@abmt.com.au
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/abmttextiles/