A Multi-Generational Family Owned and Operated Australian Manufacturing Business

Simon Latham is Latham’s Technical Sales and Specification Consultant. We recently interviewed Simon as part of our ‘Meet the Team’ series. Here's what he shared with us. 

When I walk through a building, whether it’s in Sydney, Singapore, or even Malaysia, I always find myself looking down at the stairs. If I see a Latham stair nosing, I feel a mix of pride and responsibility. That’s my name on that product. And that name has stood for quality for over 70 years. 

I’m a fourth-generation member of the Latham family business. Based in Gladesville, NSW, Latham Australia is proudly Australian-owned and operated, and we manufacture premium stair and flooring safety products that are used across the country and around the world. From stair nosings and tactile indicators to expansion joints, entry mats, and wall protection systems. If it helps make a building safer or more accessible, there’s a good chance we’ve had a hand in it.  

Local Manufacturing. Global Impact. 

Our factory and design teams are right here in Sydney. We manufacture locally to maintain strict quality control, deliver custom solutions, and reduce lead times. At the same time, our impact is global, with projects and distributors across multiple continents. 

I’ve worked on the factory floor myself. I know what it feels like to reject a product that doesn’t meet our standards and start again. Quality isn’t negotiable, our family name is stamped on every piece that leaves the factory. 

Starting on the Factory Floor 

I officially joined the business full-time about two years ago, but I’ve been around it for much longer. My dad (Adam Latham) used to bring my brother and me in during school holidays to help with some of the heavier jobs around the factory. We’d get pulled away from our sporting fields and video games and put to work. Looking back, I think that gave us both a sense of what the business stands for and how much effort it takes to keep it going. 

These days, I work primarily in sales and customer follow-up, making sure we’re staying in touch with customers and delivering on their needs. I also take on project-based tasks, from sourcing new suppliers to managing our presence at trade shows. This year I was responsible for setting up our Sydney Build Expo stand, coordinating logistics, and making sure everything was ready to go. It’s one of the big annual efforts, and I’m proud of how it turned out. 

The Latham Difference 

When we show up to trade shows, people know our name. We’ve been part of the industry fabric for decades, and we’re known for three things: quality, innovation, and service.

We put our customers first. Always. Whether it’s an architect trying to match a product finish, a contractor under time pressure, or an international distributor dealing with complex logistics, we do whatever it takes to get the job done. I remember a recent large-scale entry mat order from Malaysia where I was coming in very early weekdays, staying back extra late, and working long Saturdays to get it out on time. That’s just what we do. 

Innovation Through Listening 

Our approach to innovation is to start by simply listening. A client came to us recently wanting entry mats with embedded logos. Although it was a product in our previous range, we didn’t have a current solution, but we found a way. Now, we’re experimenting with new materials and production methods to make it happen.

That’s how a lot of our product development happens. Our coloured stainless steel tactile range, for example, came about because customers needed better contrast options to meet regulatory requirements. Now we offer all-black and all-white options with matching abrasive infills. The same goes for our solid brass spiral tactile range and other recent innovations. 

Family, Legacy, and the Next Generation

Being part of a family business isn’t always easy. Work tends to spill into social time and weekends, but it’s rewarding. I sit next to my dad and my uncle every day, and I learn from them constantly. There’s a perception that if your name’s on the door, you just walk into a cushy role. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m working my way up, learning every part of the business, from the factory floor up, and earning the right to carry that name forward. 

An Open Invitation 

If you’re an architect, interior designer, or specifier working on a project and need support with a product selection, colour match, or compliance query, I’m here to help. I’d be happy to visit your site or office, bring samples, and work with you to find the best solution for your application.

You can connect with me on LinkedIn where I share updates on recent projects, travel photos of Latham products in flagship installations, and posts about the innovations we’re working on. You can also learn more about our products at www.latham-australia.com. 

We’re a local, family business with global reach. Our name is on every product. And we’re here to help you build safer, better spaces.  

About Latham Australia  

Latham has been manufacturing premium quality flooring products in Sydney, Australia for 70 years. End-to-end control and oversight of procurement, manufacturing, and quality control results in the industry’s most reliable and high-performing products.  

The name Latham is synonymous with quality and Latham have been the recipient of over 30 awards including numerous Australian Design Awards. Latham products can be found in many prestigious buildings around the world including the Sydney Opera House, Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminals and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. 

To find out more about Latham products, please visit latham-australia.com. To talk to a Latham product expert, call 1300 LATHAM (528 426) or email sales@latham-australia.com