About Us
HOW WE GOT HERE
Originally known as Morey Haigh and Associates, the company was founded by Mr. Douglas Haigh way back in 1970. We began small with a solid business plan and found immediate success through three fundamental criteria, product range, price, and most importantly service. We began manufacturing battery terminals and cables and as the company grew, so did our reputation.
We soon diversified by adding a selected range of automotive accessories and quickly recognised the growing interest in these kind of lines. Products that returned a solid gross profit did not escape the notice of retailers and sales surged ahead. Building on the success achieved during the seventies, in 1982 the company moved to larger premises in Scoresby, Victoria. Soon after, things turned tough with fuel shortages, wharf strikes, and the recession. These were both positive and negative times for the company. The survival years as they were called gave way to future hope and by the early 1990’s sales had grown robustly. In a strategic move that would dramatically expand the company’s business, we purchased the manufacturing operations of Sunland Dashmats, located in Brisbane Queensland.
In 1993 after buying out the Morey group some years earlier, it was decided that a name changed was needed. The company was to be called Haigh Australia Pty Ltd. Continued growth opened new opportunities for the company and by the year 2000, it began to recognise the need to establish brands than continue to trade exclusively with Haigh only packaging. What began as a period of continuous, comprehensive restructuring that embraced every aspect of the business which created some of our most popular brands such as Battery Link, Cargo Mate & Orcon. While we are always on the lookout for new and exciting products, we still keep those old favourites that you have come to rely on.
In 2001 the company relocated its operations to the outer Brisbane suburb of Darra where we began the difficult task of combining the manufacturing and wholesaling arms under one roof. The first twelve months were very difficult, but it was an astute decision that has led to remarkable improvements in both quality & productivity. It allowed us to broaden our marketplace, even further, which at the time was largely domestic.
In 2005 we acquired the Protective Plastics operation located on the Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane Queensland. Now, after nearly a decade of continued growth and improvements in quality and production techniques, the brand is now a market leader in the manufacture and supply of headlight & bonnet protectors, weathershields & dust deflectors for the automotive aftermarket.
In 2011 we broadened our scope in a major way by introducing a range of products targeted at the leisure sector primarily the caravan & camping markets. This was quickly followed by our entry into the world of 4WD recovery equipment where the Mean Mother 4X4 brand was born. This category continues to grow in popularity thanks to our focus on quality products at a competitive price.
In 2018 with the business showing tremendous growth in the leisure and 4WD markets we began researching and developing our very own brand of 4WD recovery boards.
In 2019 we launched the Exitrax range of recovery boards and accessories which were an instant hit with the 4WD industry, looking for innovation in this popular category.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 in 2020 has been felt by almost every business in our industry. It disrupted our lives both professionally and personally while operationally, the business experienced many highs and lows. This affected our production capabilities, representation and customer service, supply rates both locally and internationally, and of cause, our workforce. Collectively we have been through a period of extreme change but we have continued to build and expand on our strong position within the automotive and leisure marketplace. While we have weathered the worst of the crisis, we know there are still challenges that lay ahead for everyone. After 50 years, we know how to survive. We look forward to being around for another 50.
