We provide premium quality steel storage solutions for the office and home. Designed and made in Melbourne, our award-winning, customisable range is available in 300+ colours. Each product is designed with integrity and built to last.

About Planex

Since 1972, we have pioneered sustainable storage solutions in Australia.

Planex began providing sustainable storage solutions in 1972 — before sustainability became fashionable. We are an Australian, furniture design and manufacturing business driven to create highly considered, useful and innovative products that preserve the environment.

Our storage is designed for flexible, activity-based spaces across commercial, education, sports, hospitality and residential markets.

Click below to see the full extent of our manufacturing capabilities.

Design Philosophy

Our products are designed in Melbourne by us, for you.

We design highly-resolved, minimalist storage, unburdened by non-essential details. Our design philosophy extends to our environmental credentials: we believe that our products must be versatile, original and durable. Our storage is designed to last years; to be reused, reconfigured and recycled. We call it ‘built-out obsolescence’.

Manufacturing

We manufacture custom products in Melbourne using state-of-the art metal prototyping and production equipment. We are committed to reducing the impact of our manufacturing processes on the environment. As a sustainable manufacturer, our products contribute maximum points to Green Star ratings.

With our modern, Australian-based factory, we’re uniquely placed to customise, manufacture and deliver new products to sites nationally.

Download Design, Manufacture and Supply Capability Statement

Our Team

We employ 50 people at our 7700sqm plant in Hallam Victoria. We’re a team of specialists with skills in CAD, programming, procurement, sheet metal fabrication, welding, powder coating, product assembly, warehousing and logistics. As a local and nimble team, we can design and deliver products quickly. Our national sales team has extensive experience in the architecture and design industry and will happily accommodate your project’s needs.

Jean-Pierre Jardel
Director

Transitioning from academic research to manufacturing, Jean-Pierre Jardel has steered the company to pre-eminence in the field of high quality, sustainable manufacturing. He has expanded the business significantly, guided always by a strong, ethical commitment to customers, suppliers and employees. Jean-Pierre is driven to perfect product stewardship throughout his factory from design through to delivery.

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Karina Clarke
Business Development Manager

Karina has over 30 years-experience in furniture design, spanning manufacturing, retail, academia, not-for-profit and SME industries. She is currently working as a brand and communication strategist within the A&D sector and is working to enhance Planex’s customer experience and the company’s future growth.

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Shelley Ramirez
Logistics and Project Manager

Shelley heads up our Logistics and Project Management team and plays a vital role in many aspects of the business. Her comprehensive knowledge of the company’s operations ensures the complex challenges of her role are met with skill and dedication. Since joining Planex in 1988 Shelley has worked in many areas of the business, which allows her to have a unique understanding of Planex’s DNA.

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Alex Jardel
Systems Manager

Alex Jardel recently graduated from RMIT Industrial Design. He has been working at Planex for many years in a part-time capacity while he completed his degree. Alex is highly skilled in systems management and IT. He has been instrumental in setting up the new Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) for Planex.

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Michael Kaoullas
Factory Manager

Michael is responsible for the day-to-day running of the factory and its people. He is another long-term employee and has been with the company for 25 years. Michael graduated from Swinburne with a Mechanical Engineering degree and, through his grandparents’ connection with Fernand Jardel (the founder of Planex), he began work as an assembler.

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Gerard Ramirez
Production Manager

Gerard Ramirez began work at Planex in 1987 and is an integral member of the team, overseeing production, purchasing and planning; he works tirelessly to promote high-quality local manufacturing and design.
Over the years, Gerard has enjoyed seeing Planex embrace new systems that reduce costs and improve production processes, leading to a more sustainable business.

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Robert Gianello
Research Manager

As Research Manager at Planex, Robert Gianello spearheads an innovative approach to sustainable manufacture working to reduce waste and energy usage and to lower the carbon footprint of the Planex. Robert has contributed to winning many awards that have enabled Planex to become a leading manufacturer in closed loop systems that address waste materials and energy efficiencies.

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Nabhan Mahbub
Production Design Engineer

Nabhan recently started working at Planex as a design engineer where he is tasked with creating technical CAD drawings and works closely with the sales and manufacturing team. He graduated in 2019 with an Aerospace Engineering Degree from the Mechanical and Aerospace Department at Monash University and brought with him 1 and a half years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Nabhan enjoys anything to do with design, manufacturing, and production and has a keen motivation for solving technical problems.

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Elizabeth Mitchell
Accountant

Elizabeth Mitchell is the company accountant for Planex and brings a lifetime fascination with numbers to her role. Highly organised and hardworking, Elizabeth is adept at solving complex and detailed accounting challenges. Just like Planex, Elizabeth values commitment to perfection, innovation and sustainability in all facets of life.

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Lee Turner
Account Manager VIC SA TAS

Lee works in sales and is responsible for the Victorian, Tasmanian and South Australian markets. He has enjoyed a 25-year career in the built furniture industry, with the past 13 years at Planex spent consulting with the Architecture & Design Industry. Lee brings an unbridled enthusiasm, a ‘can do’ attitude to his role and a passion for colour that is well known in the industry.

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Cindy James
Account Manager NSW QLD

Cindy joined Planex in July 2021 as our NSW and Qld accounts manager. She brings over 17 years’ experience across the furniture industry, specialising in the workplace sector in which she operated her own commercial furniture business. Cindy is highly skilled at providing sophisticated workplace solutions, partnering with architects to grow and evolve their designs.

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Andrew Gray
Account Manager ACT & Government contracts specialising in Security products

Andrew has spent most of his 28 years at Planex in sales, employing his expertise in security. He primarily works with government clients and is adept at handling sensitive security needs. Andrew is committed to supporting local manufacturing, especially when it showcases the best in innovative and sustainable design.

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Lisa Spittal
Project Co-ordinator

Lisa is the Project Co-ordinator for Planex’s large project tenders. She provides a conduit between the builders, clients, our sales team and logistics. Lisa manages multiple projects with a calm and professional manner, ensuring successful, sustainable outcomes every time. Lisa has been with Planex since 2004 and is an invaluable member of the team.

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Emily Bayliss
Sales Administrator

Emily is our Sales Administrator and has a vast knowledge of all our products and systems. She works closely with the different Account Managers and Project Co-ordinator to enable all details of a project have been considered. Emily comes to Planex after beginning her career in hospitality, she enjoys being part of a team and working on a range of complex projects.

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Tyra de Kretser
Production Assistant

Tyra joined Planex in 2021 after graduating from SAE in Graphic Design and has recently taken up the position of Production Assistant. As the Production Assistant Tyra works across the manufacturing plant to manage the requirements of the production process and supervision of goods and materials working closely with the Production Manager, Factory Manager and Administrative team.

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Christin Smolinski
Customer Service and Sales Support

Christin has worked at Planex for over 15 years. In that time, she has acquired a vast knowledge of the business and its products. Christin works across sales support and customer service. Her friendly manner and attention to detail means our customers are always well serviced.

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Preeti Bist
Administration Assistant

Preeti joined Planex in 2023 as our Front of House and Administrative Assistant. Preeti graduated last year from Swinburne University with a BA in Business/Marketing and has worked as an Accounts Manager in Logistics which enables her to deal with the many tasks required throughout the day at Planex. If you come to Planex you will be greeted by Preeti who has a wonderful ability to make everyone feel welcome. Preeti is a keen long-distance runner with a goal to complete a half marathon this year.

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Our Partners and Social Responsibility

We partner with leading suppliers and organisations to ensure each Planex product has integrity in form and function. We value our suppliers and have worked with them to maintain a robust quality supply chain that matches the expectations of our business needs. We use third party certification so our customers have peace of mind when specifying or purchasing our products.