Be my Guest…Chris Fretwell
Donaghys is a 140-year-old company becoming more known for its HMPE lifting and recovery strap markets. It is a dedicated rope and cordage manufacturer and distributor across Australasia, with a proud name based on quality and will be exhibiting at this year’s LiftEx 2024 Gold Coast, September 12,13.
Here to tell us more is Chris Fretwell, key accounts and product manager, Donaghys.
“We're officially based in New Zealand. All of our head office and infrastructure's based there. We've got a small team here in Australia where we work from home, but we're a dedicated team and full of experience and knowledge. We dedicate ourselves on being loyal to our distributor network and not selling direct to the market,” said Fretwell.
“We first heard about LEEA because it’s a very well-known name and brand throughout the industry here in Australia and we met with some of the key people at the Wind Energy Expo in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago and started a conversation where they invited us to LiftEx.
“The lifting and rigging industry is a growing market and we look forward to growing with it and launching new products as people learn more about soft fibre rigging solutions. Many of our key clients include Bunzl, Certex, the Global Lifting Group and others.”
Donaghys will be exhibiting its range of soft shackles, announcing a new product launch, recovery drops, HMPE lines and other products.
“We’ll be celebrating our 140-year anniversary with this new product launch at the show, launching a new range of soft shackles, all our key people will be there and we’re looking forward to getting around and networking with the industry,” adds Fretwell, who has worked within the industry for 16 years.
“I've seen a lot of changes throughout my time in the industry. We're a rope manufacturer in our own right. We had a plant down in Melbourne when I first joined Donaghys and through necessity and global trade associations and cost restrictions, we had to move a lot of our manufacturing over to New Zealand. We then shipped our machinery offshore. These days we distribute products, but we've got a key hand in all of the products we distribute including their quality assurance, and other specifications.
“Next, the HMPE market is growing here in Australia. We've been a little bit behind the times in terms of innovation, product knowledge and awareness and we're looking forward to growing further as the market accepts these types of products, moving away from the traditional wire and chain through safety and weight saving. It's a very exciting time.”
Click HERE to watch the video on LEEA YouTube channel.
For more information about LiftEx 2024 Gold Coast Australia September 12, 13, visit https://events.leeaint.com/liftex-gold-coast
