Cart 
‘I believe that being a “sustainable” business — in every essence of that word — is the key to success. This drives our every decision,’ says Sussex Taps director Vanessa Katsanevakis.
A lot has changed since Vanessa’s father Nicolaas Johannes van Putten founded the leading brand almost three decades ago, when he decided to translate his skillset as a watchmaker to creating timeless taps.
Vanessa and her husband George took over the family business after Nicolaas’ passing in 2011. But his legacy and passion for traditional craftsmanship remains at the heart of Sussex.
Today, the business is still proudly Australian made, with four manufacturing sites in Melbourne’s north and an expansive team of workers who oversee each product from start to finish.
‘The business was built on a circular economy, where nothing goes to waste,’ Vanessa says.
‘From reject components, to scrap brass milled out from solid pieces, all of it is repurposed and re-melted in our Melbourne foundry at 1000 degrees, to create a brand-new solid brass bar, ready to be manufactured again.’
In 2021, Vanessa reached her most ambitious goal yet: transforming Sussex’s process to reach net zero emissions.
‘Not only were we Australia’s first carbon neutral tapware company but we’re also proudly an official member of the Climate Active network; one of the strictest carbon neutral certification bodies in the world,’ she adds.
Sussex sustainability manager Nick Katsanevakis (Vanessa’s father-in-law) says their focus on ethics and the environment explains why Sussex is a customer of Momentum Energy. The power company is owned by Hydro Tasmania, who is Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy.
In addition to both businesses being aligned in their commitment to sustainability, Nick says receiving tailored support from Momentum’s Business Relationship Manager has had a huge impact on their operations.
Momentum introduced Sussex to its Virtual Solar Sharing product that allows customers to share the benefits of the excess solar power they generate between multiple sites, which can lead to significant savings.
‘Now, through Virtual Solar Sharing, we share the benefits of 273 kW of solar energy across our three sites, rather than exporting around 30 per cent of excess solar to the grid at very low rebate rates,’ Nick says.
It’s clear that for Sussex, these decisions are about more than just bottom line. They’re guided by a long-term vision to the future, and a deep reverence of their past.
‘We understand the efforts we put in now, will bear fruits well into the future,’ Vanessa says. ‘It’s an honour to be able to uphold my father’s vision from 30 years ago.’
Momentum Energy is 100% owned by Hydro Tasmania — Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy. Find out more about signing up your business to an energy retailer that supports the transition to renewables.
