WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Based in regional Victoria over 26 years ago, Darche revolutionised the traditional swag market with the introduction of the Dome style swag. DARREN O’DWYER, the founder of Darche with his wife CHERYL (DAR-CHE), embarked on an eastern sea board journey. Wanting a shelter arrangement that was quick, practical and easy to stow, Darren used his imagination and created a canvas shell with fibreglass poles and the dome style swag was born with his creation being the talking point at many camping spots throughout their journey. On his return, Darren O’Dwyer decided to showcase his new creation at a hunting and firearm show held at the Melbourne Exhibition Building. Using nothing more than a simplistic foldable card playing table as a prop, Darren soon become inundated with order requests from both Hunters and Firearm stores alike. Darren realised he required a suitable and purpose-built factory arrangement in order to suffice demand. Setting up in both Kialla, Victoria and Campbellfield in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Darren employed locals including his brother David to create functional manufacturing and assembly factories. Using Australian supply chain partners at the time including Bradmill, Charles Parsons, KS Textiles and ABC foam makers, Darche had become the leading swag and canvas converter in Australia, at one stage being the largest converter of 100% cotton canvas in the country.
2012 – TODAY
Today Darche is proudly owned by the Charles Parsons Group who have been actively involved for over 20 years in supplying textile and trim componentry to Darche. Charles Parsons are the largest textile wholesaler in the Southern Hemisphere with offices in every capital city of Australia, including offices in Fiji, Auckland and Shanghai. The day-to-day running of Darche occurs in a warehouse facility based in Thomastown, Victoria with a site area of more than 40,000m2. Darche is overseen by experienced textile product developers, business strategists and passionate staff who are keen outdoor enthusiasts with sound knowledge and experience to match.
OUR PROMISE
We are passionate, dynamic and keen. We enjoy the same lifestyle choices as our consumers. We strive to provide our consumers the very best value, reliability and service and most importantly we recognise the trust they place on us. We welcome our consumer’s feedback both positive and negative and promise to keep delivering whilst listening.
SERVICING YOU, OUR PARTNERS FOR LIFE
We are mindful of our vulnerable environment and build our products to last the journey. We encourage life time use and if over the years it requires attention, even if it is a discontinued product, we endeavour to find a solution, on a best effort basis, to have it back and performing for you. If over time you feel an upgrade is on the cards, please do not dump or turf your no longer required Darche item. “Consider our environment” and perhaps hand it over to someone less fortunate or someone just starting out.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
Darche’s growth and shortage of experienced canvas converters and local machinists, has seen Darche establish reputable off shore assembly and supply chain partners. Operating from four major plants purposely selected and audited by Darche. Machinists, assemblers, finishers, tool makers and QA/QC supervisors are included in our required workforce of over 180 people over our four plants. It is vitally important to note Darche do not use Trading Houses or vertical arrangements off shore to source product. We at Darche develop all product prototypes in Australia and are involved from concept through to market release. Utilising Charles Parsons accredited laboratories and leading processes, all developments are then vigorously tested at the Thomastown facility and again in real life situations by developers.
COMMERCIAL SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS: BRITZ
Britz chose Darche when they were looking for a well-engineered, highest durability solution for continuous use in a rental environment. Our products deliver the very same build quality, service, dynamic design and construction value that Britz require to all our customers.
