Conwire: a continuing story
Few companies can claim an innings as long as Sydney-based cable maker Conwire. Originally formed in 1939 with the aim of manufacturing bobby pins, the firm’s focus shifted during WW2 when it was allocated a contract to make Bowden Cables by the Department of Aircraft Production and Ministry of Munitions. Using self-built machinery, Consolidated Wire as it was then known supplied cables for Mosquito and Beaufort aircraft. After the war, Warren Wright, an avid motorcycle enthusiast and son of founder Frank Wright, joined the company and they began to assemble motorcycle and bicycle cables. Cables were supplied to all competitors in the 1954 Redex Motorcycle Trial. As well as supplying bulk material to other companies, cables were produced for the locally-assembled Morris Minor and Oxford and later Morris Major and Austin Lancer, as well as the new Victa lawnmowers. Trading in the last sixty-0dd years as Conwire, the company still has a massive listing of cable specifications for motorcycles stretching back to the veteran era, and can make virtually anything to order. Company principal Len Cook says, “Today there are many cables available from Asia which don’t come up to scratch in terms of material quality and perform very poorly. We pride ourselves on our quality and service and can handle everything from one-offs to large production runs.” Conwire is located at Unit 10, 14 Sheridan Close, Milperra NSW 2214. Phone (02) 9774 2155 or see www.conwire.com.au