MADE IN AUSTRALIA: GripSport

Words and photos: Georgina von Marburg and Talon Weaving

They’re proudly Aussie made, starting from humble roots and now with an entire factory in Melbourne with its own impressive research and development department. We caught up with Talon Weaving to discuss the history and progress of this innovative brand.  

AMB: GripSport are known for their bike racks now, but they originally started with bicycle frame repairs. Tell us a bit about your origins.

GripSport began as a small manufacturing company in a two-car garage 25 years ago. With limited equipment but extensive knowledge in engineering and fabrication, the founder started by repairing bicycle frames, including small cracks and snapped sections, and providing heat treating and powder coating services. This led to repairing hundreds of high-end bike frames for cyclists and racers nationwide. He then expanded into manufacturing bike repair stands, storage solutions, and eventually, bike racks after a costly incident involving non-GripSport roof rack when touring Australia for a mountain bike competition.

AMB: There are few products available on the market to meet the demands of caravans and trailers. What was the process and inspiration behind addressing this hole in the market?

The GripSport Van Rack, part of the GS Caravan/Camper range, was the first bike rack specifically designed and tested for caravans and campers. Unlike other racks on the market that were merely modifications of standard racks, the GripSport Van Rack underwent rigorous testing and could accommodate bikes weighing up to 30kg each. This was before the rise of e-bikes and the rack was designed for both heavy-duty off-road and touring use. Our rack set us apart as it was designed for heavy bikes and off-road use, while other companies merely followed suit with their own caravan racks. We also offer a range of vehicle racks, including lightweight urban racks and heavy-duty off-road racks for 4×4 and touring in Australia. All our racks have a tilting function and can be fitted on most tow bars in Australia, with a rack light and number plate assembly for compliance with road laws. Our range also includes multiple rack options for trailer setups for shuttle runs, school groups, and touring groups. Our trailers can hold up to 30 bikes and are equipped with a bombproof rack and a gas strut sealed lid for storing extra camping gear. 

AMB: GripSport are exclusively made in Melbourne. Tell us a bit about your factory down there?

GripSport's facility is located in the heart of the caravan manufacturing hub in Campbellfield, Australia. It supplies its bike racks to most major caravan and camping brands and has over 170 dealers nationwide. With 30+ staff, including night shifts during busy periods, the facility features its own laser cutting machines, overhead crane lifters, press brakes, robotic welders, manual welding options, warehousing, assembly facilities, and a research and development section for product testing and improvement.

The racks are tested on a custom test bed that simulates real-world driving conditions, using strain and stress gauges, slow-motion videography, and on-track tests.

AMB: What are some of the sourcing and manufacturing hurdles that come with making products in Australia?

GripSport faced some delays during the Covid-19 pandemic in the bike industry due to limited steel supplies. However, our production team was able to overcome these challenges by using a variety of suppliers for the same products, ensuring that we always used 100% Australian steel. Being fully Australian-owned, manufactured, and supplied incurs higher costs, but this unique characteristic sets us apart in the industry and has garnered a strong following among both bike frame repair enthusiasts and the caravan and tow bar rack market. When you spot a GripSport product on the road, you know it's the real deal.

AMB: We're seeing a revival in both mountain biking and travel post-COVID. Has GripSport seen a major growth in demand during the last couple years?

The Covid pandemic had a big impact on the bike and bike accessory market. When people were confined to their homes and unable to travel, they turned to buying bikes and having fun locally. As restrictions lifted, people shifted their attention to the caravan industry and sales of new caravans increased. GripSport was well prepared with an established Caravan/Camper product range, a network of dealers and a reputable brand in the market. We quickly ramped up production to meet the increased demand. Although lead times were longer than expected, we had a good outlook on the market and our dealer network continued to grow. Similarly, with the bike rack market, people were ordering new bikes and racks at the same time due to long wait times for bikes, which worked out well for us.

AMB: How many dealerships does GripSport have around Australia?

We have over 170-180 dealers across every state and territory in Australia. They include big caravan manufacturers, small boutique builders and repair shops, who are all Dealers and Fitters. Our vehicle racks are also available at 4×4 accessory stores, bike shops, online retailers, tow bar installers, and our caravan dealers. We ship our products to every corner of Australia, and our dealers can be found through the Dealer Locator on our website. On average, we ship 6-10 pallets of racks daily, which is a lot of bike racks! 

AMB: Not only does GripSport support Aussie jobs and manufacturing, you also support a handful of Australian charities – what can you tell us about that? 

GripSport is an Australian-based company that designs, manufactures, and sells bike racks using local suppliers for materials and using local freight companies for shipping. The company's success is due to the hard work and dedication of its staff and their input and feedback. Most of the staff have a background in cycling and outdoor activities, and use their experience to create better products for customers. The GripSport community has a strong commitment to animal welfare and charitable causes, which has been a part of the company's identity since its founding.

AMB: What does the near future hold for GripSport?

GripSport is continuously developing its product range and incorporating new technologies. Expect new releases and updates from the company in the near future. Keep an eye on our social media for updates and check out our growing dealer network for easier access to our products. And if you can't find GripSport locally, reach out to us for assistance!

Check out more Made in Australia brands here!