Reflecting on 30 years of Southland Filtration

In 1952, Russell moved to Hobart to join the renowned British company Murex. His role involved the intricate development of welding electrodes and fluxes—components that would become the backbone of Tasmania's industrial growth. His expertise was sought after for investigating high-stakes infrastructure failures, ranging from the massive hydroelectric pipelines for the Hydro Electric Commission to the metallurgical analysis following the Westgate Bridge disaster in 1970. 

These early years instilled a "no-compromise" culture. When Murex Australia was later acquired and its research division migrated to Melbourne, Russell chose to stay in Tasmania and launch his own venture. In 1975, Southland Industries was born. Over the ensuing decade, the business expanded into sheet metal manufacturing and industrial ventilation, but Russell's emphasis on workmanship and relationship-building remained the constant lifeblood of the firm. 

The narrative took a significant turn when Russell's sons, James and Tim, identified a growing need for sophisticated water treatment. They saw that the same technical precision their father applied to the Hydro's pipelines was now needed for the burgeoning food, beverage, and construction industries. 

By the mid-1990s—as the digital age dawned—the filtration division had become a powerhouse of growth. In 1996, it was officially separated into its own standalone division. Having reached the 30-year mark of that decision in 2025, we look back at it as the move that allowed the company to forge national connections and international partnerships. 

While Tasmania is globally renowned for its fresh air and water, Southland Filtration's reputation was built on ensuring that "pristine" became a consistent, industrial reality across Australia. In those early years of the division, this meant collaborating with other pioneers. Before Bill Lark became a household name and sparked the national craft spirits revolution, Southland was there providing the filtration solutions that helped Lark Distillery set a global standard for Australian whisky. 

By 2019, the division's success led to the establishment of Southland Filtration Pty Ltd. Today, we have evolved from a consultancy into a national manufacturer of proprietary brands like SKAN, Healthshield, DEFENDER, and MediaPRO. 

As we navigate 2026, the third generation of the Cox family is now part of the business, bringing fresh energy to our legacy of workmanship. We aren't just celebrating thirty years of business; we are celebrating a lineage of problem-solvers that stretches back to a 1940s laboratory. From the manual testing at Distillery Creek to the high-tech, automated systems of today, we remain dedicated to the idea that the most essential resource—pure water—requires the most experienced hands.