The story of Hayman Reese tow bars is a classic Australian tale of innovation and growth, starting from humble beginnings and evolving into an industry leader.
Here's a breakdown of their history:
- The Origins (Late 1940s/Early 1950s): The story begins with Eric Hayman. He was already a manufacturer, making bicycle spokes in a small factory in South Melbourne. The crucial turning point came when a friend asked him to build a tow bar for his new caravan. Eric, ever the entrepreneur, built two – one for his friend and another which he quickly sold at a country agricultural show. This was the serendipitous start of his tow bar business.
- Focus on Tow Bars: The demand for tow bars grew, and Eric Hayman shifted his focus from bicycle spokes to manufacturing tow bars in earnest.
- Partnership with Reese (1970s): A significant milestone occurred in 1972 when Reese, a large American towing products company, began working closely with Eric Hayman's business. This partnership was crucial, leading to the introduction of key technologies to the Australian market, notably weight distribution systems and the revolutionary 50mm 'square-hole' Hitch Receiver tow bar. Before this, most tow bars had fixed mounting points and weren't easily detachable. The 50mm square hitch became, and remains, the Australian industry standard.
- Formation of Hayman Reese (1979): Seven years after the initial collaboration, a new entity called Hayman Reese was officially formed in 1979, with Eric Hayman appointed as its first Managing Director.
- Growth and Innovation: Over the decades, Hayman Reese has continued to innovate. They've introduced products like:
- SmartClick Wiring Solutions: For quick and efficient wiring installation.
- SmartPin: To reduce rattle from the tow bar.
- SmartCODE: An intelligent towing solution that ensures seamless integration with modern vehicle's operating systems, particularly important with the increasing complexity of vehicle electronics. This system ensures that a vehicle's manufacturer-designed changes when towing (like blind spot detection with a trailer) are fully supported.
- X-Bar: A specialized tow bar designed for four-wheel drives, offering improved departure angles and integrated recovery points.
- EV and Hybrid Towbars: Adapting to the changing automotive landscape by developing tow bars for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Manufacturing and Quality: Hayman Reese has maintained a strong commitment to local manufacturing in Australia. Their facilities, currently in Keysborough (having moved from South Melbourne and then Dandenong), house original drawings and tooling, allowing them to produce tow bars for a vast range of vehicles, from current models to classic cars. They hold significant quality certifications, including ISO 9001 and NATA accreditation for their testing facility.
- Acquisitions and Ownership: Over the years, Hayman Reese has been part of larger entities. In 1996, it became a division of TriMas Corporation Pty Ltd. More recently, in 2019, Hayman Reese became part of the AutoPacific Group, an Australian-owned company.
From building a tow bar for a friend to becoming a household name and an industry leader with over 70 years of experience, the Hayman Reese story is a testament to adapting to changing automotive technologies and a deep understanding of towing needs in Australia.
