When you walk through the glasswool manufacturing facility at Fletcher Insulation’s Dandenong, Victoria site, it’s clear this is more than manufacturing at scale. It’s a place where Australian manufacturing, technical expertise and people come together to deliver real outcomes for the places Australians call home and the buildings they rely on every day.
For Andrew Rowe, General Manager of Fletcher Insulation, leadership is grounded in responsibility – to customers, to the people who work in the business, to the communities they serve, and to the long-term role the company plays in maintaining Australia’s manufacturing capability, supporting the economy and strengthening the built environment.
A career shaped by real-world impact
Andrew’s career journey has been built on a belief that the products you make – and how you make them – matter. With extensive experience across the insulation and building materials sector, he has seen first-hand the difference quality insulation makes to comfort, energy efficiency and everyday living.
“It’s rewarding to work in an industry where what you do has a tangible impact,” Andrew reflects. “Insulation might be hidden once it’s installed, but its contribution to wellbeing and performance lasts for decades. It not only saves energy and reduces environmental impact – it makes living spaces more comfortable. And when you consider we use up to 80% recycled glass in our glasswool, why wouldn’t you want to be involved? It makes it easy to get out of bed and do what you love every day.”
That perspective has shaped his approach to leadership – one that values practical decision-making, long-term thinking and delivering consistently for customers and partners.
Leading Fletcher Insulation
As General Manager, Andrew leads a business that operates at the intersection of manufacturing, technical performance and trust. His leadership style is marked by clarity, accountability and respect for the people doing the work.
From the factory floor to customer engagement, Andrew focuses on strong fundamentals – safety, quality and reliability – knowing these are the foundations of confidence in the construction industry. “If we get those right,” he says, “everything else follows.”
Australian manufacturing at the core
For Andrew, Australian manufacturing is not a slogan – it’s a commitment.
Fletcher Insulation’s glasswool manufacturing facility in Dandenong plays a critical role in supplying insulation products designed specifically for Australian climates, construction practices and regulatory requirements. Manufacturing locally allows for tighter quality control, faster response to market needs and greater certainty of supply – benefits that matter deeply to builders, specifiers and homeowners alike.
“Producing glasswool here in Australia means we’re accountable for every step of the process,” Andrew explains. “It gives customers confidence that our products are made to perform where they’re used – in Australian buildings, under Australian conditions.”
The people behind the product
Andrew is quick to point out that manufacturing excellence doesn’t happen without skilled, committed people. The teams at Dandenong – and across Fletcher Insulation’s operations – bring experience, care and pride to their work every day.
“Our people are the custodians of quality,” he says. “Their knowledge, attention to detail and commitment to safety are what turn raw materials into products customers trust.”
Investing in people, creating stable career pathways and fostering a strong safety culture are central to Andrew’s leadership philosophy – particularly in an industry where experience and craftsmanship make a measurable difference.
Looking to the future
As expectations around energy efficiency, sustainability and building performance continue to rise, Andrew sees insulation – and Australian manufacturing – playing an even more important role.
With local manufacturing capability, technical expertise and a clear sense of purpose, Fletcher Insulation is well placed to support better building outcomes well into the future. For Andrew, that future is about continuity as much as change: staying true to what works, while adapting to what’s next.
“Each day I focus on how we can improve on yesterday to ensure I play my part in keeping manufacturing strong in Australia,” he says.
“We’re building something that lasts – for our customers, our people and the communities we’re part of.”
Fletcher Insulation’s Australian-made glasswool brands include Pink Batts®, Soundbreak® and Pink®Partition. Learn more about our Australian manufacturing and our brands.
