Sponsored content by Australian Business Growth Fund
There’s a particular kind of ingenuity that flourishes in regional Australia. Away from the noise of major business centres, founders build companies that quietly become world leaders in their field, solving deep specialised problems that global markets didn’t know could be solved. Modra Technology, based in Warragul in regional Victoria, is one of those companies.
A global manufacturing technology leader, built in regional Victoria
Founded in 1991 by Tim Modra, the business started with a simple but powerful idea: that the carpet manufacturing industry was ripe for technological reinvention. Patterned carpets (the kind found in hotels, shopping centres and commercial spaces the world over) require extraordinary precision to produce. Each design demands thousands of bobbins of yarn and meticulous coordination to ensure patterns align perfectly across an entire carpet run. The process was labour-intensive, costly, and prone to waste.
Tim set out to change that. Combining expertise in machines, electronics, and software, he developed technologies that solved these age-old challenges. Sampling machines like the ‘Kibby’ and ‘Mtuft’ allow designers to produce carpet samples at scale and lower cost. The more recent ‘CreelMT Mobile’ is an all-in-one automated system that increases production efficiency by up to 83% and reduces waste yarn by up to 80% compared to traditional methods.
Today, Modra serves more than 200 customers across 35 countries, generating 90% of revenue internationally, and has been recognised as a Leader in Digital and Advanced Technologies by the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
The right capital partner makes all the difference
Growth at this pace creates its own pressures. Scaling operations, investing in R&D, and meeting surging global demand, all while maintaining the culture and values of a family-owned business, requires not just capital but the right kind of capital.
That’s where the Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF) comes in. ABGF is a long-term minority investor that backs established, profitable Australian businesses looking to scale, without requiring founders to give up control. It’s a model designed specifically for businesses like Modra: strong fundamentals, proven product, global ambition, and a founder who wants a partner, not a boss.
“Our partnership with ABGF isn’t just about financial growth,” says Modra. “It’s about supporting our manufacturing operations in Warragul and continuing to solve the real challenges our customers face as we expand our global footprint.”
ABGF’s Investment Director, Alex Collivas, echoes that sentiment: “ABGF’s investment in Modra is about empowering an Australian success story to scale even further. We’re delighted to be part of their next phase of growth, helping them expand their operations, accelerate product innovation, and meet the growing global demand for their solutions.”
Manufacturing expertise, not just money
What distinguishes ABGF from other capital providers is the strategic value it brings alongside investment. ABGF brings sector experience, a national network, and a genuine commitment to working alongside management rather than above them. For manufacturers in particular, that means understanding the realities of long production cycles, the importance of IP protection, and the complexity of scaling operations while maintaining product quality.
With ABGF’s backing, Modra is expanding its R&D investment and accelerating into new international markets. The sustainability credentials are a growing advantage: in a global market increasingly focused on waste reduction and environmental impact, Modra’s technology offers carpet manufacturers a compelling path to both cost savings and greener production.
A model for Australian manufacturing growth
The Modra story is a template for what’s possible when manufacturers pair cutting-edge Australian technology with patient, informed capital. Regional location is no barrier. Niche markets are no barrier. What matters is a relentless focus on solving real customer problems and having a capital partner who understands the journey.
ABGF exists to back more businesses like Modra. If you’re running an established Australian manufacturing business and thinking about your next growth phase, ABGF would like to hear from you.
Learn more at abgf.com.au
This article contains information provided by ABGF and is intended for general use only. It does not take into account your personal, professional, or business circumstances.
