BBB an outback success story

The sole survivor, owner Bill Drew says, of the federal government in 2000-01 reducing barrier protection to the industry from 35 per cent to 5pc.

Its aim then was to move Australia closer to the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation's goal of free trade access to developed countries by 2010. But, according to Mr Drew, it destroyed manufacturing in Adelaide, which was once considered the denim capital of Australia.

"In the year 2000, tariffs were dropped to create a level playing field but it killed the market - there are no manufacturers left.

"I mean, I left school the moment I turned 15 and have worked for myself since I was 19 and it's as plain as the nose on my face that dropping tariffs was going to kill local manufacturing.

"And, look what has happened. These politicians, who I believe are just there to feather their own nests, drive me absolutely mad."

BBB Clothing began in 1984 when Mr Drew and his father, Bill Drew senior, attended an auction to buy an industrial sewing machine to repair horse rugs for their colt breakers.

Unable to raise a bid on 1000 pairs of jeans, auctioneer Chris Coles offered them to Bill senior, who sensed an opportunity to enter the rural rag trade.

Mr Drew travelled from farm to farm throughout the Yorke Peninsula, attended picnic race meetings, rodeos, bronco branding competitions and other rural events.

BBB Clothing grew to satisfy demand and soon set up shop in four town halls per week throughout SA, Vic, NSW and the NT to serve its 98pc country and station clientele.

A truck named the Short Horn Plodder - as opposed to RM Williams' Long Horn Flyer - was sourced to pull their mobile showroom trailer to the big shows and field days.

And, alongside giant retailer Just Jeans, BBB Clothing was given exclusive rights to use a denim-wool blend.

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It was his father's idea to mix the fabrics, according to Mr Drew, with Vic's Kennett government and Elders funding its production at Bradmill Textiles in Yarraville, Vic.

Business was booming. Initially, Bill senior and his wife Beryl would travel to Melbourne to buy "end of run" garments from manufacturers, as well as from wholesalers at the Melbourne's Queen Victoria Markets.

As business grew, they approached manufacturers in Adelaide to make clothing to their specification.

"Country people put in orders. They knew they were a mile in front if they spent a bit more on quality clothing," he said.

Mr Drew said the connections made with customers across the past 35 years has been a highlight, and he still gets a buzz to see the BBB Clothing label worn.

"When someone comes up to you at a field day and says they're still wearing your pants after 15 years and they've got the BBB label on them, your chest pumps out as far as you can reach," he said.

Indeed, champion speed shearer Shannon Warnest, Willalooka, wore the BBB on his singlet for many years when, at age 17, he approached Mr Drew at an event and asked him to sponsor the Angaston Show shearing competition, which Mr Drew did for 17 years.

"Shannon's mum used to collect the singlets from us," he said. "It's incredible to see how well he has done.

"It has been a great ride with BBB Clothing and it has provided our family with a fantastic lifestyle over many years."