Bushman Fridge's Australian Origins: The Real Story

are bushman fridges made in australia

Bushman Fridges is an Australian company that began in Melbourne in 1982 when Gary Kottman founded DP Refrigeration. Over the years, the company has grown to become one of Australia's largest importers of LPG gas fridges, offering customer support and distributing high-quality gas fridges and freezers to remote areas. While Bushman Fridges are manufactured overseas, the company is Australian-owned and operated, and conducts its own quality control in Victoria, Australia. The brand is known for its expertise in portable fridges, compressor RV fridges, and off-grid fridges, with a focus on durability, simplicity, and reliability.

Characteristics Values
Country of origin Australia
Manufacturing location Overseas, specifically China
Company type 100% Australian-owned family company
Company size Small
Year founded 1982
Founder Gary Kottman
Headquarters Melbourne, Australia
Industry Refrigeration, camping equipment
Products Portable fridges, compressor RV fridges, off-grid fridges, folding solar panels
Product features Hard steel exterior, simple design, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Customer service Australia-wide support, direct communication with the brand

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Bushman fridges are manufactured in China

Bushman is an Australian company that was started by Gary Kottman in Melbourne, Australia, in 1982. The business, DP Refrigeration, quickly grew, and within a couple of years, Kottman had developed a national distribution network for LPG gas fridges in Australia. Over the subsequent 17 years, DP Refrigeration became one of Australia's largest importers of LPG gas fridges.

In 1989, Bushman Portable Fridges was established as a division of DP Refrigeration. The Original SC 35 was developed over two years, from 1989 to 1991, and was subjected to a wide variety of off-road applications to assess and modify any weaknesses until the final prototype was achieved.

Bushman fridges are manufactured overseas in China. The company owns all its tooling and uses high-quality factories that also manufacture equipment for BMW, Mercedes, and Scania. Bushman conducts its own quality control in Victoria, Australia, to ensure that every fridge is in perfect working order for its customers.

Bushman fridges are designed for off-grid applications and are ideal for off-grid living, farms, holiday homes, and extended remote trips. They have a low-power, highly efficient absorption cooling system that will run for up to three months on a 45kg gas bottle. The fridges are known for their durability and reliability, with a hard steel exterior that can withstand Australia's harshest conditions.

Bushman has been in the business for over 35 years and is committed to making the best quality off-grid fridges and accessories and supporting its independent retailers and customers.

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Bushman is an Australian-owned company

In 1989, Bushman Portable Fridges was established as a division of DP Refrigeration. The company has been 100% Australian-owned since its inception and has become a well-known name in camping and off-grid living. Bushman fridges are known for their durability and reliability, with a hard steel exterior that can withstand the harsh Australian climate. The brand puts its expertise into making portable fridges, compressor RV fridges, and fridges for off-grid use.

While Bushman is an Australian-owned company, its products are not manufactured in Australia. All Bushman fridges are manufactured overseas, primarily in China. However, the company owns all its tooling and uses high-quality factories that also manufacture equipment for BMW, Mercedes, and Scania. Bushman conducts its own quality control in Victoria, Australia, to ensure that every fridge is in perfect working order before it reaches its customers.

Bushman fridges are designed with simplicity and durability in mind. They do not include unnecessary features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, focusing instead on keeping contents cold and maintaining the set temperature. The brand has a strong reputation for its customer service, with customers able to speak directly to someone at Bushman in Australia. The company also has a national independent dealer network covering all major towns and cities in Australia.

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The fridges are designed for off-grid applications

Bushman fridges are designed for off-grid applications, such as camping, off-grid living, farms, holiday homes, and extended remote trips. They are ideal for mobile use in caravans, RVs, and boats, or for fixed off-grid use. The fridges are designed to be shock- and leak-proof, providing spill-free food and drink storage even on rough roads. They are built with steel construction, making them hardwearing and reliable.

The brand was established in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia, by Gary Kottman, who started DP Refrigeration. Within a few years, DP Refrigeration had become one of Australia's largest importers of LPG gas fridges. In 1989, the company founded the Bushman Fridges brand, specifically targeting off-road adventurers such as hikers and campers. The Original SC 35 was developed over two years, during which time it was tested in various off-road applications to identify and address any weaknesses.

Bushman fridges are designed to be upright and feature a low-power, highly efficient absorption cooling system. They can run for up to three months on a 45kg gas bottle and do not require any power to function, making them ideal for off-grid use. The 12V Bushman Camping fridges, for example, are designed for camping and can be powered by a vehicle's onboard 12-volt power outlet. The fridges are also available in different capacities, ranging from 15 liters to 36 liters.

Bushman fridges are manufactured overseas in China, but the company owns all its tooling and uses high-quality factories that also manufacture equipment for BMW, Mercedes, and Scania. Bushman conducts its own quality control in Victoria, Australia, to ensure that every fridge is in perfect working order. The brand has been in the business for over 35 years and is a 100% Australian-owned family company.

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They are made of steel, not plastic

Bushman is an Australian company that has been making fridges for over 35 years. They are known for their expertise in building fridges for camping, travelling and off-grid living. What sets them apart from other fridge brands is their commitment to using steel, instead of plastic, for their fridge cabinets.

Almost all Bushman fridges have a hard steel exterior, which is a conscious choice by the brand to ensure their products are hardwearing and reliable. Steel offers exceptional strength and durability, allowing the fridges to withstand the harshest Australian conditions. This makes them ideal for use in off-road applications, farms, holiday homes, and remote trips. The steel construction also provides superior protection against knocks and bumps during transport or off-road use, giving customers peace of mind.

The use of steel has several advantages over plastic. Firstly, it provides exceptional strength and durability, ensuring the fridge can withstand knocks and bumps. Steel is also a better insulator than plastic, helping the fridge maintain its temperature even in extreme conditions. Additionally, steel is less susceptible to warping or damage caused by heat or sunlight exposure.

While steel makes the fridges heavier, some customers, especially tradies and farmers, prefer the added durability and toughness that steel offers. The steel cabinets can take a knock in the back of a ute or truck without sustaining damage. This makes Bushman fridges a popular choice for those who need a reliable and robust cooling solution for their off-grid adventures or remote work sites.

Bushman's commitment to using steel showcases their focus on creating long-lasting, high-quality products. By prioritising durability and functionality over flashy features, they have earned a reputation for simplicity and reliability, making them a trusted brand for Australians venturing off the beaten track.

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The company began in Melbourne, Australia, in 1982

Bushman Fridges is an Australian company that was founded in Melbourne in 1982 by Gary Kottman, who started DP Refrigeration. With a background in engineering and a passion for customer service, Kottman quickly developed a national distribution network for LPG gas fridges. Over the next 17 years, DP Refrigeration became one of Australia's largest importers of LPG gas fridges, offering customer support and distributing high-quality gas fridges and freezers to remote parts of the country.

In 1989, Bushman Portable Fridges was established as a division of DP Refrigeration, and the company began developing its first product, The Original SC 35, which was released in 1991. This portable fridge was designed for off-road applications and was rigorously tested to ensure its durability. The company has always prioritised simplicity and reliability in its products, focusing on keeping its fridges cold and at the desired temperature regardless of the conditions.

While Bushman Fridges is an Australian-owned and operated business, the fridges themselves are manufactured overseas, primarily in China. The company owns its tooling and uses high-quality factories that also manufacture equipment for brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Scania. Bushman conducts its own quality control in Victoria, Australia, to ensure that every fridge meets their standards.

Bushman Fridges has become a well-known brand in Australia, particularly among campers and those living off the grid. The fridges are designed to be sturdy and efficient, with exceptional strength and reliability, making them ideal for Australia's harsh conditions. The company has a strong focus on customer service, with a national independent dealer network covering major towns and cities across Australia.

Frequently asked questions

No, all Bushman fridges are manufactured overseas in China. However, Bushman is an Australian-owned and operated business that began in Melbourne, Australia, in 1982.

Bushman fridges are known for their simplicity and reliability. They are made of steel, making them hardwearing and long-lasting. The brand has been around for over 35 years and is well-loved by campers and those living off the grid in Australia.

Bushman fridges are known for their simplicity, durability, and exceptional strength. They may not have features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but they focus on keeping your items cold and fresh. While they may be pricier than some other options, many customers find them to be well worth the money for their quality and performance.

You can buy Bushman fridges online through their website or from authorised dealers and retailers in Australia.

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