Our Story

Where it all started

Merino Craft has been manufacturing for over 40 years. When it first began in the 70's, its humble beginnings started in our family home manufacturing in our small garage in Thomastown. Since then we have been able to produce and supply quality sheepskin footwear which can be found through retail outlets and markets throughout the Australian market and Tasmania. A number of our clients have been Myers, Williams The Shoeman, Speeds, Spendless, Big W and others. 

Our Ugg Boots & moccasins continue to be handcrafted from our factory in Epping, Melbourne where we work vigorous to maintain quality craftsmanship. Many of our footwear styles have endured the test of time and we still produce a wide range.

Our footwear has been tailored in shaping and fitting, always keeping in mind to maintain the finest quality. All our products are crafted from beginning to end by our staff. This allows us to produce a comfortable affordable quality product. 

As many of you may know, we also owned the shoe shop in thomastown.                               

 

Meet the family 

Meet Nonno - The man who started it all 

Benito Maccia was the founder of Superior Moccasins PTY and Thomastown moccasin centre. As many of you know it is now called Merino Craft. Merino Craft began with Nonno's hands, vision and dedication to qaulity. This business wouldn't exist without him. Nonno dedicated his life to traditional craftsmanship and passed those skills through generations of our family. Unfortunatley, Nonno is no longer with us, but his legacy will live with us forever. 

Photos from1998

   

 

Guiseppe Maccia - Benito's Son

Together with his father, Guiseppe helped shaped the foundation of Merino Craft. Today, he leads the business with the same values they shared from the very beginning - quality workmanship, honesty and family pride. He continues the tradition hands on manufacturing in the factory - cutting the sheepskin and gluing each rubber sole himself, ensuring every piece meets the family standard. Guiseppe has worked at the factory for 40+ years. 

    

 

Elena Maccia - Guiseppes wife 

Behind the scenes, Elena keeps everything running smoothly at Merino Craft. She manages all wholesale and customer orders, invoicing and ensures every detail is correct from start to finish. With a sharp eye for detail and a strong sense of orgnisation, she makes sure every order leaves the factory complete, accurate and on time. Her work is essential in keeping the family business connected to both our wholesale partners and everyday customers. Elena has worked at the factory for 33 years. 

One thing she has learnt from Benito is that her motive is to make sure the customer is happy and make sure they came into the factory for a reason. 

Photo from 2004

 

Meet Olivia & Isabella -Daughters of Guiseppe & Elena 

Olivia is responsible for sharing the story behind the brand with the world. She manages the behind the scenes work on the website, social media, marketing, helping bring the factory and the family legacy to a wider audience. Isabella is the youngest in the family, she is still growing up around the business and helps in the factory from time to time. Something nonno would definetly be proud of. 

Photo from 2020

Nonno built the foundation of Merino Craft with his hands, but its story continues through all of us. I like to think he would be proud to see the way the family has come together to carry his work forward.