Company History
HISTORY OF BAILEY
Bailey Ladders is proud to celebrate 70 years of being Trusted by Aussie Tradies. Bailey Ladders is Australia's #1 ladder brand.
From humble beginnings, Bill Bailey Snr started the company in Sydney designing and manufacturing timber ladders.
Started in 1956 - the same year as the Melbourne Olympics, when televisions first became widely available for purchase for the Australian home and the design competition for the Sydney Opera House was held.
In 1970, the company moved to Brisbane and expanded into Aluminium ladders. A core brand pillar, innovation, was realised in 1982 with the launch of the pivotal Punchlock, tread to style joint, a patented design, 66% stronger than a riveted style joint.
"Celebrating 70 years of Strength, Innovation and Trust" encapsulates the continuing core pillars and ethos of the brand, this revolutionary 1982 Punchlock innovation sparked.
Today, with Head Office, including all Product Design and Engineering still based in Brisbane, Bailey Ladders, Access Equipment and Fall Protection, continue to live these core brand pillars that have made Bailey products synonymous with working safely at heights.
We look forward to continuing to deliver Quality, Strong, Safe, Reliable, Innovative Products that you can continue to Trust as can generations to come.
STRENGTH
Through 70 years of Australian based product design and engineering, Bailey Ladders have built their market leading reputation on producing products known for their Quality, Strength, Safety, Stability and Reliability. These qualities lead to the unrivaled Longevity of products, backed by the market leading Limited Lifetime or 5 Years Manufacturers Warranties.
INNOVATION
Working with Trades on site, continually developing and implementing Innovative designs within the range, ensures the everchanging requirements of the jobsite are met and change is enabled for the improved Safety and Efficiency of the everyday.
In particular, the focus has been on the Strength and therefore Longevity of product, weight reduction to improve fatigue management, new design features and new ladder types to revolutionise safety and the way everyone is able to use their ladders every day.
TRUST
Continual Innovation delivering Strength has grown your Trust. Our authority in the Trade and DIY industries alike, is derived from the Strength and therefore Longevity of the product and continual innovation to not only adapt to, but force change in the industry for the improved safety and efficiency of the user.
Brands don't endure 70 years without Trust. We are proud to have earnt yours, and we will continue to deliver Strength and Innovation to ensure we hold your Trust.
LADDER HISTORY
Ladders are an ancient tool. One of the oldest depictions of a ladder was found in the Spider Caves in Spain which dated to the Mesolithic period, over 10,000 years ago. The painting showed humans climbing the “flexible” ladder to collect honey from a bees nest.
Further development of ladders also occurred during medieval times as siege instruments. These ladders were much stronger, higher and larger to enable access over moats, cliffs and castle walls. Timber and ropes were probably the main elements used in the construction of these early ladders.
The industrial revolution changed work practices forever. Labour was divided into discreet functions to more efficiently produce a product. The specialist was born. Many of the new trades, such as engineers, required access to inspect and repair large steam engines and buildings. As people’s demand for access to heights grew their needs were met with more portable ladders – lighter and stronger.
Ladders have evolved markedly over time. They have evolved from simple timber frames to versatile multi telescopic ladders.