ICON x Assembled Threads
An ICON-ic Partnership: Three Years of Local Manufacturing and Social Impact
Three years ago, ICON backed a small social enterprise manufacturer in Melbourne.
What began as a shared commitment to creating positive social and environmental outcomes through procurement has grown into a national partnership delivering impact on construction projects across Australia.
Today, Assembled Threads is proud to be ICON’s national supplier of locally made hi-vis vests, manufacturing customised garments that not only keep workers safe but also contribute to stronger communities, local jobs and a more sustainable future.
Three Years of Impact
Since 2022, our partnership with ICON has delivered:
✔️ More than 2,500 locally made garments produced in Melbourne
✔️ More than 420kg of textile waste diverted from landfill through our recycled-first vest design
✔️ An estimated 1,650+ hours of meaningful employment for people facing barriers to work
✔️ Ongoing investment in vocational training, sustainable employment and Australia’s local garment manufacturing industry
Every vest manufactured through this partnership demonstrates how purchasing decisions can create benefits far beyond the product itself.
More Than a Safety Vest
At Assembled Threads, every hi-vis vest is designed to deliver both workplace safety and measurable impact.
Manufactured locally in Melbourne, our customised hi-vis vests incorporate recycled materials and support employment opportunities for people who are often excluded from mainstream employment pathways, including people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.
As a social enterprise, revenue generated through every order is reinvested back into our mission. This allows us to continue creating employment opportunities, delivering vocational training and strengthening Australia’s local garment manufacturing capability.
For ICON, choosing locally made safety garments has meant supporting a supply chain that aligns with its broader commitment to social procurement and responsible business practices.
National Recognition
One of the highlights of the partnership came in 2023, when Assembled Threads and ICON were recognised with the National Social Procurement Trailblazer Award.
The award acknowledged the innovative approach both organisations have taken to embedding social value into procurement decisions and demonstrated what can be achieved when businesses intentionally use their purchasing power to create positive community outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Over the past three years, we’ve seen firsthand how strong partnerships can create lasting impact.
From customised project-specific safety vests to ongoing national supply, our collaboration with ICON shows that Australian-made products can deliver quality, reliability and meaningful social outcomes at scale.
We are grateful for ICON’s continued trust and support and look forward to building on this partnership in the years ahead.
Together, we’re proving that procurement can be a powerful force for good.
The focus on driving social performance through their supply chain, is one of the most powerful forces for good we have.
Nicole Donnison, Regional Social Procurement Manager at Icon
