Future of Aussie cultural icon Hills Hoist in doubtGeorgia PalganNewsWireFri, 27 February 2026 3:38PM
The company behind the Hills Hoist is up for sale, leaving the iconic clothesline’s future in doubt.
The US parent company of AMES Australia announced it is shifting its business focus and considering a sale of its AMES Australian operations.
Home of some of the most iconic garden and homeware brands, AMES Australia products include the historically known Hills Hoist and Nylex garden hose and has been owned by New York-based conglomerate Griffon Corporation since 2017.
The US firm announced earlier this month it will carry out a “fundamental review” of its portfolio and refocus to become a “residential and commercial, North American building products company,” chief executive Ronald Kramer said.
AMES Australia’s portfolio also includes garden brands like Pope hoses and fittings, Trojan tools, Cyclone garden tools and Kelso wheelbarrows.
“AMES Australia has grown from a small business acquired as part of AMES in 2010 into a category leader in Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Kramer said.
“We will identify opportunities for our exceptional team in Australia to take the business to the next level while creating value for our shareholders.”
AMES Australia is not the only company to be reviewed, with AMES’s United Kingdom and Canadian operations to go through a similar process.
Griffon Corporation said the brands are to be reported as discontinued operations.
According to Griffon, AMES Australia is expected to bring $56 million in earnings before tax during this financial year.
Griffon is being advised by Goldman Sachs on its strategic overhaul in Australia.
Originally published as Future of Aussie cultural icon Hills Hoist in doubt
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