Latham Australia recently exhibited at Sydney Build Expo. We caught up with Latham’s Sales manager, Adam Latham, and here is what he had to say:
I’m Adam Latham, Sales Manager at Latham Australia and proud third-generation member of a family business that’s been setting the standard in architectural safety and finishing products for more than 70 years.
Latham Australia was built on a foundation of quality, innovation, and service. We’re a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company based in Gladesville, NSW, and everything we manufacture is done right here in Australia. That gives us complete control over quality, reliability, and consistency; values that matter deeply to us, and to our clients. Our name is on the door, and it’s on the product too, so we don’t take shortcuts.
What Does Latham Australia Do?We manufacture premium architectural products for commercial and public spaces; such as airports, hospitals, office towers, shopping centres, convention centres, schools, aged care facilities, and transport hubs.
Our range includes:
- Stair Tread Nosings for slip resistance and safety.
- Tactile Ground Surface Indicators for the visually impaired.
- Entry Mats and Floor Grates to stop dirt and moisture at the door.
- Expansion Joint Covers for structural movement control.
- Neoprene Control Strips to prevent cracking in large tiled or paved surfaces.
- Wall Protection Systems like bump rails, handrails, and corner guards.
- Grates, Grid Mats and Trench Covers - custom in-house hand fabricated.
Everything is engineered to meet the needs of architects, specifiers, and project managers who demand compliance, safety, longevity, and aesthetics. And it is all backed by a genuine warranty.
Who do You Work With In The Industry?
I work closely with architects, designers, builders, and contractors. Our products are typically specified at the design stage and must be carried through the build process, which can take anywhere from a few months to several years. Because our products are finishing items, we’re often the last ones in. That timing means budget pressure can be intense, so we work hard to defend specifications and protect our quality position.
That’s why our relationships with specifiers matter so much. When we’re engaged early, and the architect understands the value of the product, we’ve got a better chance of holding the line against so called ‘value engineering’ that doesn’t deliver value, and introduces risk to the project.
What Makes Latham Different?
We manufacture everything locally. That gives us tight control over quality, but it also gives our customers confidence. When you specify Latham, you’re not taking a risk on something that’s coming in a shipping container from somewhere else. We hold a significant in-stock position; sometimes up to seven months of supply to ensure we can fulfil orders fast and without compromise.
That’s not a cheap way to do business, but it’s the Latham way. We’d rather carry the cost of inventory and deliver reliability than take a gamble on long lead times and offshore logistics. For contractors and installers, that means less downtime and fewer delays. For building owners and developers, it means durable, compliant, good-looking products that do the job for years to come.
Built to Last - and Proven Around the World
We back our products with a five-year warranty, but we know from experience they last far longer than that. We’ve got stair nosings still performing in the Sydney Opera House, Centrepoint Tower, Australia Square, and even the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. This is decades after they were installed.
When we say, “engineered to last,” it’s not just a slogan. We can walk clients through examples of 25-, 30-, even 50-year installations that still look great and perform exactly as intended.
Always Innovating
We’re always working on new products, especially when we receive specific requests from architects. If a designer needs a custom expansion joint with a certain depth of stone, we’ll fabricate it. And if the solution we develop has broader application, we’ll add it to our range.
Recently we expanded our tactile range. It’s not just stainless steel and brass anymore, but new colours, spiral tops, abrasive versions, and directional wayfinding tactiles. We've done the hard work with product design and testing to make sure these products stand up to the Latham standard and tradition of quality.
We treat innovation as a partnership. Working with the specifiers and builders who know what they need, and we bring decades of technical experience to the table.
It's a Family Business - And That Matters
My grandfather started this company. I used to visit the factory as a kid, and now my own children, the fourth generation, are getting involved too. Some of them work part-time while at university, and others jump in during school holidays. That sense of continuity, of legacy, means everything to me.
Because our name is on the product, we care about every item that goes out the door. We don’t hide. We don’t outsource responsibility. And we’re proud to show off the work we’ve done, not just to win new business, but because we believe in it.
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.