The past few months have been challenging for many Australian eCommerce businesses. With Australia Post suspending services to the US ahead of new tariffs, countless small brands suddenly found themselves unable to reach loyal American customers. We know first-hand how tough that uncertainty has been.
The good news is that shipping from Australia to the US will resume at the end of September. For many businesses, this offers a welcome path forward. Still, these disruptions are a reminder of how fragile global supply chains can be; and why making thoughtful decisions about how and where we manufacture is so important.
Why We Manufacture in Both Australia and the US
At PROPPR, we’re a boutique business, and like so many of our fellow eCommerce operators, we rely on passion, creativity, and trusted partnerships to bring our products to life. From the beginning, we made the decision to manufacture in both Australia and the United States, as far as practical and possible.
This approach not only reduces shipping delays and avoids tariffs but also ensures our customers in both countries can receive their PROPPR stool faster, with a lighter environmental footprint. More importantly, it allows us to work with small businesses in both regions - manufacturers who share our values of quality, craftsmanship, and care.
Maple & Hickory, Handcrafted in North Carolina
Our timber PROPPR stools are now crafted in North Carolina, USA, by a family-run workshop. Using sustainably grown maple and hickory, the team employs the specialised bentwood process, pressing each stool one at a time. The result is a piece that feels as close to handmade as possible.
Every stool is unique, showcasing the natural warmth and variations of timber grain. Over time, the wood mellows and deepens in tone, making each piece even more beautiful as it ages. It’s functional furniture, yes - but also a designer-quality piece, recognised with an Australian Good Design Award in 2019, that supports your posture while elevating your bathroom style.
"We have the Oak PROPPR and absolutely love it! Our friends in Asia recommended it for our Aussie life, and the timber has developed this beautiful honey tone over time. Best investment ever - it arrived quickly with no issues."Â Rachel L.
The Acer – Sleek, Strong and Accessible
Alongside our wood PROPPR stools, we offer the Acer model, crafted from durable acrylic. Acrylic is antimicrobial, waterproof, and recyclable - the perfect choice for busy bathrooms. It’s also made in both Sydney and Philadelphia, supporting small local workshops while reducing transport emissions.
By producing the Acer in both countries, we’re able to offer a PROPPR stool at a more accessible price point without compromising on quality. The Acer is proof that design, sustainability, and practicality can all go hand in hand.
Small Businesses Supporting Small Businesses
We’re especially proud that all our manufacturing partners are small businesses. In the US, that means working with family-owned workshops where craftsmanship and pride matter. In Australia, it means collaborating with boutique makers who share our attention to detail.
This isn’t the fastest or cheapest way to make a product - but it is the right way for us. By keeping production with like-minded small businesses, we ensure that every PROPPR stool is crafted with care, consistency, and integrity.
Standing With Our eCommerce Colleagues
As we prepare for the resumption of shipping to the US, our thoughts are with the many Australian businesses who’ve been waiting to reconnect with their American customers. We know the sleepless nights, the logistics juggling, and the sense of uncertainty this has caused.
At PROPPR, we’re grateful that our decision to manufacture locally in both countries has kept us supplying without interruption. But more than that, we’re proud to stand alongside our fellow small businesses - resilient, creative, and deeply committed to quality.
Because in the end, that’s what keeps us all moving forward: small businesses supporting small businesses, communities choosing small-batch craftsmanship over mass-produced sameness, and brands like ours wanting to offer durable, long-lasting products over short-lived throwaway alternatives.