What Southern Design Group does

Southern Design Group (SDG) is an Australian-headquartered, privately-held architectural hardware manufacturer founded in Adelaide in 1982 (originally as Traditional Brass Co.). The company operates a multi-brand portfolio comprising Bankston (premium limited-edition collaborations with architects), Iver (contemporary design-led hardware for modern homeowners), and TradCo (traditional restoration hardware). Its core technology is forged brass manufacturing supported by in-house CNC facilities, product development, and assembly operations across three sites in Stepney, South Australia.

The company generates revenue through wholesale distribution to a network of over 600 retail partners across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, and Europe, supplemented by direct-to-consumer sales through three brand-specific websites. Its go-to-market combines traditional trade sales to architects, designers, and builders with channel-partner distribution and consumer e-commerce, supported by participation in design events such as Copenhagen's 3daysofdesign Festival. Customer segments include architects and architectural firms specifying premium hardware, modern homeowners seeking design-led products, and restoration projects requiring period-accurate traditional hardware.

Southern Design Group is family-owned (Duff family), with Co-CEOs Emily Bradley and Steve Bradley leading the business since 2015 alongside COO and board member Jason Ruth. The company employs approximately 100 staff across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, achieved APCO's highest 'Beyond Best Practice' sustainability rating in 2025, and became the first Australian architectural hardware company to achieve B Corp certification in January 2026. No external institutional investors are identified, and the company has remained privately held for over 40 years.

Name

Southern Design Group

Legal name

Southern Design Group

Website

https://southerndesigngroup.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southern Design Group is an Australian family-owned architectural hardware manufacturer operating three brands (Bankston, Iver, TradCo) that design, produce, and distribute forged brass hardware to 600+ retail partners and consumers across Australasia, the US, UK, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Hardware

NAICS

Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321)

SIC

Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)

akta.pro primary industry

Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles) (CRAIADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Architectural hardware products
• Door hardware manufacturing
• Brass door handles
• Restoration hardware supplies
• Premium door levers

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwood

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Hardware Product Sales: Southern Design Group generates revenue through the sale of architectural hardware products across three brands: Bankston (premium/collaborative design), Iver (contemporary/lifestyle), and TradCo (traditional/restoration). Products include door hardware, door handles, levers, knobs, and accessories. The company operates through wholesale distribution to retail partners and direct-to-consumer through brand websites.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Southern Design Group designs, manufactures, and distributes premium architectural hardware through three sub-brands: Bankston (premium limited-edition design collaborations with architects), Iver (contemporary door hardware for modern homeowners), and TradCo (traditional restoration hardware). Products include door handles, levers, knobs, and accessories primarily made from forged brass, with in-house CNC manufacturing and product development capabilities based in Adelaide.

Product overview

Southern Design Group operates as a multi-brand portfolio company specializing in architectural hardware. The company is structured around three distinct sub-brands: Bankston (premium limited-edition collaborations with architects), Iver (contemporary door hardware for modern homeowners), and TradCo (traditional restoration hardware). The parent umbrella brand manages brand strategy, sustainability initiatives (B Corp certification), and market expansion across Australasia, the US, UK, and Europe. Products range from door handles and levers to cabinet hardware, all emphasizing quality craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and design excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bankston: A premium brand offering introduced in 2018, featuring innovative design collaborations with architects. Through strategic vision and curatorial thinking, Bankston creates an exciting expression of award-winning architectural hardware, produced in limited editions for those with an eye for craft and unwavering passion for design. Recent collaborations include The Streaks by YSG, Hemispheres by Civilian, Casts by Edition Office and Super Collection by Sans-Arc Studio.
• Iver
• TradCo

Products and services

• Bankston Premium architectural hardware brand offering limited-edition collaborations with leading architects and designers (YSG Studio, Civilian, Edition Office, Sans-Arc Studio). Bankston produces award-winning functional hardware objects including door handles, levers, knobs, and accessories for premium architectural projects.
• Iver Architectural door hardware brand thoughtfully curated for modern homeowners, offering a design-led collection that blends function and quality. Provides styles from sleek contemporary to traditional timeless, designed as a whole-of-home solution including door handles, levers, and cabinet hardware.
• TradCo Traditional restoration hardware brand showcasing expertise in traditional hardware across a wide product range. Delivers exceptional quality, attention to detail, and diverse products and finishes, with values centered on restoring period homes and heritage spaces to their former glory.
• Southern Design Group (Umbrella Brand) One of Australia's leading suppliers of architectural hardware operating as a Certified B Corporation. The portfolio brings together three brands: Bankston (innovative design collaborations), Iver (architecturally inspired collections), and TradCo (authentic restoration hardware), serving Australasia, United States, United Kingdom, and Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,000 plastic bags eliminated from landfill annually through compostable mailer switch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025APCO signatory since 2019, working towards targets of 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2030. Achieved highest 'Beyond Best Practice' rating in 2025. Partnership supports sustainable packaging initiatives including compostable mailers and pallet wrap.
• Asha (Community Health and Development Society)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Asha operating in 91 slums across New Delhi, focusing on healthcare, empowerment, education, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Southern Design Group provides ongoing support including donations for pre- and post-natal care, infant and child immunisations, nutrition, food parcels, and IT centre development. The partnership has supported communities of over 10,000 people.
• UNICEF AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with UNICEF Australia to support vulnerable children and communities, providing them with opportunities for a better future.
• See Differently (Royal Society for the Blind)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Community partnership providing employment opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged groups.
• Circle of FriendsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Community partnership providing employment opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged groups.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Baldwin Hardware: Premium solid brass hardware brand owned by Allegion with broad residential and commercial distribution; a larger incumbent that competes with SDG's premium tier at greater scale.
• Schlage (Allegion): Mass-market residential and commercial door hardware brand under Allegion; represents the scaled incumbent boundary SDG faces across all price tiers.

Direct peers

• Emtek Products: Decorative door hardware manufacturer with broad style range from traditional to contemporary; the closest scaled US analogue to SDG's Iver and TradCo product breadth.
• Rocky Mountain Hardware: US-based artisan bronze architectural hardware maker with hand-forged door and cabinet hardware; directly comparable on craftsmanship-led premium positioning and forged-metal manufacturing.
• Croft Hardware: UK premium architectural ironmongery brand offering period and contemporary brass hardware; closely matches TradCo's heritage/restore positioning and Bankston's premium tier.
• Sun Valley Bronze: Hand-finished bronze architectural hardware producer serving luxury custom homes; mirrors SDG's forged-metal, design-led premium thesis.
• Ashley Norton: Premium architectural hardware manufacturer offering designer door hardware, levers, and cabinet pulls in solid brass and bronze; closest direct peer to SDG's premium Bankston tier.
• Turnstyle Designs: British maker of leather and brass architectural hardware with a design-led, architect-collaboration model; highly comparable to SDG's premium Bankston and Iver positioning.
• Mandelli 1953: Italian premium architectural hardware maker with brass levers and design collaborations; directly comparable on premium design-led positioning in the European specification market SDG is entering.

Emerging players

• Waterwood Hardware: Smaller US-based premium hardware brand focused on designer door and cabinet hardware; partial overlap with Iver's contemporary whole-of-home positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Design Group