- intouch Magazine
Proudly Aussie Owned & World Famous
Just a short drive up the New England Highway from the bustling city of Newcastle, you’ll discover Mortels and experience how the world-famous Australian Ugg Boots are created. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the fully operational manufacturing plant and watch how the Mortels UGG boots are locally made on an interactive tour.
After the tour, enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Café, purchase a local gem at the Gift Gallery and step back in time at the Sheep’s Back Museum. Plus take your Instagram to the next level by snapping the world’s biggest Ugg Boots!
Mortels currently have free shipping on all orders over $150 – so get online and stock up now for winter!
Mortels Sheepskin Factory is a multi-award winning Australian-owned family business, and it's just up the road from Wine Country. The Mortels story began with Frank Mortel (master shoe craftsman) and wife Rita emigrating from the Netherlands in 1956 bringing with them the trade of shoe crafting, a trade that was passed down through the Mortel family for over 150 years.
The Mortel family relocated from Sydney to the Maitland area in 1978 and from a shed in Lochinvar, the family continued developing their range of sheepskin products and growing their brand. In 1992, Tony Mortel and wife Stephanie took over the reins of the business.
With nearly 60 years of experience, Mortels have played a leading role in the evolution and direction of the Australian sheepskin industry. Mortels have driven improvements in the industry – from the quality of raw materials and the way they are processed – to developments in the manufacturing process, standards and designs.
Proudly Aussie owned and dedicated to manufacturing a premium quality sheepskin product, Mortels are of the oldest, continuously running ugg boot manufacturers in the world.
Weekly, the Mortel factory workers, create upwards of 1000 pairs of ugg boots in all styles and colours. Mortels source their sheepskins from a Tamworth based abattoir and have them tanned to their meticulous standards before being handcrafted at Thornton into a Mortel product.
“What sets us apart for all other manufacturers of sheepskin products is all our sheepskin batches are tested and certified for chemicals and dyes in strict accordance with European Safety standards,” explained Stephanie Mortel.
“Domestic and imported sheepskins and textiles are not subject to any custom requirements of meeting safety standards and the chemicals and dyes used in fabrics can cause cancer, chronic fatigue, asthma, skin conditions, allergies and many other diseases. We choose to test and certify as a measure of consideration for the health and wellbeing of customers and staff”.
Purchasers will know they have purchased a genuine Mortel product as Mortels only distribute within Australia through their own retail outlets to preserve their brand and the quality of Australian manufacturing.
Mortels have also expanded their range of Australiana products. On offer is a range of country clothing including Australian made leather hats, oilskin coats, vests, hats, and quality accessories and Mortels own range of skincare products, which are created right here in the Hunter using natural lanolin as the main ingredient.
The range also includes furnishings such as small and large ottomans and pillows covered in genuine cowhides to compliment Mortels extensive range.
There is no doubting the Mortels commitment to their business and the sheepskin industry as a whole. Mortels Thornton manufacturing site also houses a large factory outlet store, a museum showcasing Australia’s rich sheepskin history and Mortels 60 years of manufacturing and a café serving all-day breakfast, great coffee and lunches.
Staff conduct factory tours Monday–Friday at 11am where visitors can watch, hear, feel and smell the real workings of an UGG boot factory – however these are currently suspended due to Covid-19.
Keep an eye out for when they re-start! An extensive range of their products is on offer through their website www.mortels.com.au, direct sales to local, national and international customers. You’ll find Mortels at 1 Weakleys Drive, Thornton.
