Hills Industries

When Sherry Hill complained to her husband Lance (above) that their string-and-pole clothesline was in the way of the lemon tree, he solved the dilemma by knocking up a rotary line out of a metal tube and wire. Word spread like wildfire, and the day in 1945 when Lance overheard two women talking about it on the tram was the day he decided to set up a business manufacturing his invention.

“The Hills Hoist provided an innovative and far superior solution for drying clothes,” says James Parkinson, product manager at Hills Home Living. “It lifted laundry clear from the ground and its extensive hanging space was well suited to large families.”

While sales of the classic rotary line continue to increase steadily, the design has been refined over the years and can now be folded down and removed from the ground to make room for entertaining or cricket.

With its eyes firmly on the future, Hills has branched out into other laundry and home necessities, taking into consideration the shrinking size of Australian backyards.

“There are some new products being launched with Bunnings over the next three to six months, and we’re mindful of the sharp uprise in apartment living and increasing consumer demand for trends and fashion to be reflected in the styling of the home,” says James. “We’ll never stop finding innovative ways to deliver better products.” hillshome.com.au

‘The Hills Hoist was a practical solution for everyday Australians.’ James Parkinson, Hills Home Living