1976 – 2026. Half a century. Five decades of Australian craftsmanship, grit, and a relentless commitment to keeping the nation moving
This year, SureWeld celebrates its 50th anniversary. A milestone that very few Australian manufacturing businesses ever reach. What began as a small welding and fabrication shop in Lilydale has grown into the country’s most trusted name in Aluminium Loading Ramps and Plant Trailers. But this story isn’t just about products. It’s about people, purpose, and an unwavering belief that Australian-made still means something.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
In 1976, SureWeld opened its doors in Lilydale, Victoria, servicing local markets – primarily the agricultural industry. The work was hands-on and humble. One of the most iconic early products? Fruit picking ladders. Simple, functional, and built to last. That ethos of practical, quality craftsmanship was baked in from day one, and it hasn’t changed since.
“When you look back at where this company started – a small shed, a welder, and a willingness to have a go – it’s incredible to see what 50 years of hard work has built. But the values that started this business are still the values that drive it today.” – Carl Hansen, Director.
THE INNOVATION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING.
By the early 1980s, SureWeld’s founder had developed a concept that would redefine machinery transportation: the Aluminium Loading Ramp. Originally designed for a handful of excavator and skid steer operators in the Melbourne metro area, demand grew quickly. The designs were tested and certified by N.A.T.A with outstanding results, and a new market was born.
That single innovation laid the foundation for what SureWeld would become. Today, the SureWeld Ramp range boasts over 30 standard models, suitable for machines weighing from 1.5 to 11.5 tonnes and if a standard option doesn’t fit, the SureWeld team will custom-build a set that does.
PUTTING DOWN ROOTS IN REGIONAL VICTORIA.
In 2004, after years of servicing the Victorian market out of Melbourne, the decision was made to relocate to a purpose-built facility in Wangaratta – a regional town strategically positioned on the Hume Freeway with easy access to both Melbourne and Sydney. It was a bold move that supported the town, but it was the right one.
That Wangaratta base became the heartbeat of SureWeld’s manufacturing operation. And when the company outgrew that original facility in 2018, they didn’t look elsewhere they built a second state-of-the-art production facility right there in Wangaratta. Regional roots, national reach.
A NEW CHAPTER.
In the 2000’s, a new ownership group took the reins. Both owners brought deep business experience – one specialising in the service industry and the other in manufacturing – united by a common passion for Transportation solutions to Keep Australians Moving. It marked the beginning of a transformative era for SureWeld.
What followed was a decade of relentless growth and innovation:
2008: SureWeld launched its Aluminium Plant Trailer Range under the tagline “Quality Carries Weight.” These trailers gave civil contractors greater flexibility with impressively low tare weights and higher allowable payloads. This opened up the opportunity to tow mini machines with Utes, instead of taking a truck to site each time.
2011: The development of the Walkboard configuration revolutionised the transportation and small freight industries, becoming the go-to for truck body builders and removalists alike.
2016: Following numerous under-truck servicing incidents across the industry, SureWeld designed and manufactured Vehicle Wheel Riser Ramps, built in accordance with Australian Standard AS. 2640:2016. This allowed mechanics, to service the underside of trucks anywhere in their yard. Major logistics companies including ALDI and Toll Group quickly adopted the product.
2019: The game-changing Nexxgen 2.7T Trailer was born. Utilising exclusive European componentry on Australian-made frames, SureWeld mastered a 2,200kg payload using a mechanical override braking system – a first for an Australian-made and owned company. It opened the door for hire companies across the country.
2023: Following the major success of the 2.7T Trailer, we took the well calculated jump into developing and releasing the 3.5T Mechanical Braked Trailer. This opened up many new possibilities for the hire industry. People with 3.5T Towing capacity could now tow a 2.5T Machine, with attachments – without the need of having electric brakes.
2025: We replaced the 4.1T with the 4.5T Trailer because customers kept asking for more. Machines were getting bigger, attachments were getting heavier, and more vehicles with 4.5T towing capacity were hitting the roads. The 4.5T lets contractors and hire companies get the most out of their tow vehicle without moving up to a truck.
“We take customer feedback really seriously. It’s how we shape our product development, and moreover, how we do business. Our best ideas start with chatting with our customers.” – Fern Cox, Marketing.
AUSTRALIAN MADE. ALWAYS.
In an era where offshoring has hollowed out much of Australian manufacturing, SureWeld has fought tooth and nail to keep production on home soil. Every ramp, every trailer, every walkboard is designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in Wangaratta, Victoria.
It’s not the easy road. It never has been. But it’s the SureWeld way. And it means that when a customer needs a spare part urgently, or a repair done fast, or technical advice from someone who actually built the product; SureWeld can deliver. That Australian-made commitment isn’t just a badge; it’s a competitive advantage and a promise.
“Keeping manufacturing in Australia takes a lot of hard work. You’ve got to be efficient and keep improving. But being able to see something through from raw aluminium to being used in the field by customers – It gives the team an incredible sense of pride.” – Paul Kuhne, Ramp Line Leader.
MORE THAN PRODUCTS: THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BRAND.
Ask anyone at SureWeld what makes the company tick, and they won’t talk about ramps or trailers first. They’ll talk about people. The SureWeld culture captured internally as “The SW Way” is built on three core values known as the Three R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and Radicalness.
Respect for each other, for customers, for the craft. Responsibility and ownership of every weld, every delivery, every phone call. And radicalness – a willingness to challenge the status quo, push for continuous improvement, and never accept “that’s just the way we do it.”
This culture has produced long-serving team members, developed future leaders from within, and created a workplace where people genuinely want to show up every day.
“Working at Sureweld has been a positive experience. The team shows qualities in respect, responsibility and radical solutions in the aluminum trailer and ramp industry. It’s rewarding to know the work I do contributes to the success of the overall local business and I am proud to be part of this unified and supportive team.” – Jamie Sessions, Trailer Line Leader.
GIVING BACK: BRINGING THE WIDER COMMUNITY INTO OUR ECOSYSTEM.
SureWeld’s “Keep Moving” ethos extends well beyond the factory walls. The company has a proud history of giving back to the community through financial contributions, product donations, and hands-on volunteering.
The team has long supported the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), a charity that delivers hope and practical relief to communities affected by fire, flood, and crisis. SureWeld’s management team are active volunteers, and the company has contributed generously over the years.
In 2022, SureWeld swapped its iconic green for pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, illuminating its Wangaratta HQ and running staff fundraisers in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation – a cause that hit close to home for several team members and their families.
Over the years, the SureWeld team has activeley raised money for many organisations, including Jeans for Genes Day, Red Apple Bowel Cancer Day, Movember and many others.
The company has also maintained a longstanding relationship with OneSchool Global, with shareholders actively volunteering for more than 25 years.
LOOKING AHEAD: THE NEXT 50 YEARS.
Fifty years is a milestone worth pausing to celebrate. But if you know SureWeld, you know they won’t be pausing for long.
With a national footprint spanning Wangaratta (HQ), Derrimut (VIC), Northgate (QLD), and Canning Vale (WA), a product range that continues to evolve, and a team that lives and breathes the brand SureWeld is as well-positioned today as it has ever been.
The tagline says it all: Keep Moving.
And after 50 years, that’s exactly what SureWeld intends to do.
“The founders built something solid, and our job is to keep building on it. We’re investing in our people, our products and our factory so SureWeld is still keeping Australia moving in another 50 years.” – Ruben Hansen, General Manager
SureWeld Australia – Keeping Australia Moving since 1976.
Have a SureWeld story to share? We’d love to hear from customers, dealers, and friends of the brand as we celebrate this incredible milestone. Reach out to us at sales@sureweld.com.au or tag us on social media with #SureWeld50.
