Support your local: SA-based JL Design & Fab's rise to international acclaim

SA GREAT: Guest holds his hand-sewed floor mats, with custom printed logos.

A local young entrepreneur is making waves in the local and global automotive industry, with an innovative new concept that prints 3D parts and accessories.

Jordan Guest, a 24-year-old Adelaide native is the founder of JL Design & Fab, a small automotive manufacturing business based in Lonsdale.

Established in 2017, JL Design & Fab produces a multitude of parts and accessories to its market, most of whom represent the Japanese Domestic Market, or JDM, sector of passionate car fanatics.

“I set the business up to fill a hole in the Japanese performance car niche … I started off importing rare parts for friends from Japan and it has grown from there,” he said.

‘‘I import rare collectable parts and accessories, custom fabricate radiator mounts, engine and fuse box covers, 3D print cup holders, print banners and stickers, restore wheels … and more recently started to produce my own range of ‘TrueFit’ floor mats."

It was while working casually at an automotive parts store and various workshops while studying engineering, that Guest realised there was a gap in the market for niche custom parts and accessories.

IN-HOUSE: Guest shows his custom 3D printed cup holders, a popular item for his shop.

In an economy often dominated by big international businesses, Guest is aiming to keep production local.

“It makes me proud to represent South Australia on what is becoming a global scale,” Guest said.

“Buying and learning how to use the 3D printer and social media promotion blew the business up… it drew lots of attention and has increased website traffic from the United States massively,” he said.

The US, where it’s now possible to import many ‘hero’ Japanese vehicles due to the expiration of manufacturing date-based import restrictions, has shown interest in not just the cars themselves, but accompanying parts and accessories.

With the 2019 Federal Budget increasing instant asset write off from $25,000 to $30,000, the 2019 Business SA Federal Budget Review encourages small businesses like Guest’s to upgrade tools, machinery and services to benefit clients, and assist come tax time.

It seems that further growth is on the horizon for Guest’s fledgling business and he may soon be in need of a bigger shed.

To find out more about JL Design & Fab, click here or visit https://bit.ly/2Kej5fX. I also filmed a video on Jordan's awesome R32 GTR earlier in the year which can be found below, as part of the "SA's Greatest" series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duIl0E6Chf4