SisterWorks x dusk Partnership

When Australian retailer dusk commissioned a national production run of premium heat packs, they made more than just a product order — they made an impact investment. The collaboration with SisterWorks, a not-for-profit social enterprise that empowers women from migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker backgrounds, brought purpose and precision together in a powerful way.

A Partnership Rooted in Purpose

The brief was ambitious: deliver a large quantity of lupin grain-filled heat packs, produced to exact retail standards and delivered on a tight timeline. For many, this would be a logistical challenge. For SisterWorks, it was an opportunity — to demonstrate both capability and care.

The project was made possible through Pilbeam Living as part of its Community Partnership Project with dusk, and delivered from SisterWorks’ Springvale Manufacturing Hub. Under the leadership of Production Manager Manaka, a skilled team of nine women—known within the organisation as “Sisters”—led the full production process.

The term “Sisters” reflects more than shared work. It speaks to the solidarity and strength that unites women within the SisterWorks community as they work to gain economic independence and social inclusion.

Manufacturing with Meaning

Guided by Kaizen, a Japanese methodology of continuous improvement introduced by Toyota Production System Support Centre, the team meticulously crafted each product with care. From weighing and filling Australian-grown lupin grain to sewing, quality control, and packaging, every step was carried out with precision and intention.

Over five days, the women completed 210+ hours of paid employment, producing heat packs that met all commercial requirements while delivering social value.

One Sister, reflecting on her experience, shared:

“This was my first commercial manufacturing project. I felt proud watching the pallets leave — knowing the products I made will be in stores across the country.”

A Model for Inclusive, Scalable Supply Chains

For dusk, this was more than a retail project. It was a partnership that aligned with their values — demonstrating that commercial scale and community impact can coexist.

For SisterWorks, the collaboration marked a milestone. It proved the ability to meet national commercial demands, while staying true to their mission: to empower women through real employment, skill development, and social inclusion.

It’s also a clear signal to the wider business community: inclusive manufacturing is not just possible — it’s powerful.

What’s Next?

The SisterWorks x dusk project serves as an invitation for other purpose-driven organisations to rethink what’s possible. By placing trust in community-led solutions, companies can create products that not only meet quality standards but also change lives.

“We’re proud to have proven that supply chains can be ethical, inclusive, and efficient,” said the SisterWorks team. “It’s time to scale impact through partnerships built on shared purpose.”