Our Story

About Us

Platypus Outdoors is an Australian-owned company dedicated to designing and distributing innovative outdoor gear.

Founded on a passion for high-performance gear, Platypus Outdoors began its journey over three decades ago, focusing on the unique needs of our users.

We proudly serve a diverse clientele, including military personnel, law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and outdoor enthusiasts who rely on our products to perform under pressure.

Our Platatac brand is synonymous with uncompromising quality, durability, comfort, and reliability.

Core Values

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our core values, which guide our actions and inspire us to innovate.

Quality

Every product we create embodies the highest standards of craftsmanship, ensuring our customers receive gear they can trust in the most demanding situations.

Innovation

We constantly seek new ways to improve our designs and technology, empowering our users with cutting-edge solutions that enhance their missions.

Community

We believe in giving back, especially to veterans’ organisations, and we strive to support those who have served our country with commitment and dedication.

History

Platypus Outdoors Group, based in Melbourne, has been a unique force in military, law enforcement, and emergency services apparel and equipment manufacturing for 30 years.

What started in the late 1980s as pouch and clothing modifications in a retail store grew rapidly, employing over 20 machinists by the early ’90s to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF), United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UKMOD), and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Concurrently we were sourcing US and UK made clothing, packs, sleeping systems and footwear for the ADF and location specialist police units.

In the late 1990s, with the Australian deployment to East Timor, we saw a surge in demand from soldiers, leading to the creation of the Platatac™ brand. This helped solidify our reputation globally for high-quality clothing and nylon goods.

In the early 2000s, we expanded into providing Extreme Cold Weather clothing for the War in Afghanistan and began our first Defence contracts. By 2004, we outgrew our Melbourne CBD location, moving to a larger 928 m² facility to house our production and corporate teams.

By the late 2000s, Platypus Outdoors had become a key supplier to the Australian Defence Force and local police, establishing a global manufacturing network in various countries, including the UK, USA, Sri Lanka, and China.

Today, we continue to supply millions of pieces of high-performance equipment to both Australian and international military, aw enforcement, and emergency services, positioning us as a leading supplier for future government projects.

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