Local hat manufacturer Jacaru Australia has become the official headwear supplier for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games ©Jacaru Australia

Local hat manufacturer Jacaru Australia has become the official headwear supplier for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games after winning the contract for the role.

The company, based in Burleigh Heads in Queensland, will produce a range of Gold Coast 2018 hats, which are due to go on sale along with other merchandise later this year.

They have become a sub-licensee of the Games, which run from April 4 to 15.

As part of a license provided through Matevents PTY, a new company set up to supply an extensive range of merchandise for the Games which was awarded the exclusive licensing and retail rights in June, the products will be available in Gold Coast 2018 stores and outlets.

The agreement represents a boost to the organisers of the event, who vowed to include a vast number of local companies in their partnership programme.

Minister for the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe claims Gold Coast 2018 have already signed more than 1,800 contracts with "companies with a Gold Coast presence".

"This is a significant opportunity for a Gold Coast based company to showcase their handicraft to the world and enjoy a legacy of the promotion in years to come," said Hinchliffe.

The range of hats made by Jacaru Australia will include the Gold Coast 2018 mascot Borobi ©Getty Images
The range of hats made by Jacaru Australia will include the Gold Coast 2018 mascot Borobi ©Getty Images

Jacaru Australia, established in 1969, were Australia’s first manufacturers of cut and sewn leather hats and now employ 22 people locally and over 100 nationally and internationally.

Marcus Dehring, the company’s general manager, said they were now looking for an indigenous artist to create "a very distinct design for our Gold Coast 2018 range that recognises the traditional culture and heritage of the Gold Coast".

He has promised to include the emblem for the Games, as well as the mascot - a bright blue koala called Borobi - on the range of items, set to include "headwear of all shapes, colours and sizes".

"The Jacaru story is one of hard work and resolve to build on what has become an iconic brand - that’s not a dissimilar journey to the one we are embarking on as a Games with both producing outstanding and long lasting legacies for the city, its community and in this case a local business," Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie said.

"The Organising Committee will continue to do its best to source local suppliers across the very broad range of contracts to fulfil in the 20 months leading in to Gold Coast 2018."