The most stringent test of all would certainly be that of time, and as a wholly Australian owned company, we are proud that our magnitude of Staetite Fasteners has passed with flying colours!

The late Mr.J.J. Rafferty founded A. N. Cooke Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. in 1919 originally as an electrical engineering organisation.

Initially, the company produced and installed electric hot water services, and built and sold radio receivers. Soon after, the company commenced the manufacture of electric irons and jugs, stoves and radiators under the brand name "Newglo".

The company recognised the necessity for a quality Australian made fastener range for the assembly of these products, and on this note, elected to manufacture its own fastener range.

Tooling and the manufacturing of fasteners, turned screws and pressed nuts commenced in 1930. With production well under way, the "Staetite" trade name was registered in 1931.

Oblivious to the possible outcome that would follow in the turn of the next decade, the ability of Staetite to produce both fasteners and assemble finished electrical products was running thin, as the production of fasteners became an ever-increasing part of the company's operations.

As the output demand for fasteners continued to increase, the electrical division of Newglo products was sold to Sun Electric Co. Pty. Ltd. In 1938 J.J. Rafferty introduced the manufacture of cold formed head, tapping and machine screws using modern plant equipment imported from the U.S.

In 1948, due to space restraints, a new factory was built in East Kew, Victoria. The recurring growth in production demanded the need for more space, and so to, the factory area further expanded to 45,000 square feet.

Likewise, the range of products grew from year to year, to cover the extensive variety embracing both standard and specialised fasteners for industry and merchants today.

At present, A. N. Cooke Manufacturing remains wholly Australian owned and is recognised as a principal manufacturer of superior quality automotive and industrial cold forged components, bolts, set screws, nuts, metal threads screws, self tapping, self drilling, thread cutting screws and thread forming screws.

The company possess one of the largest ranges of metal forming and secondary operation machines for the manufacturing of industrial fasteners in Australia, and has embarked on an aggressive program of cost reduction, quality assurance and new product development.

In May 1991, A. N. Cooke Manufacturing was nominated by Ford Motor Company of Australia for the prestigious Q1 quality award - the first and only Australian owned general fastener manufacturer to be recognised in this manner.

In addition to this, in December 1997, A. N. Cooke Manufacturing was also accredited certification for QS 9000. This registration covers the quality management systems for manufacturing, importing, and distributing of metal fasteners.

As A. N. Cooke heads towards the new millennium, it will be encompassed by vast changes and improvements, beginning with the relocation of the current plant to a new purpose built factory to be located in West Heidelberg.

These attributes only consolidate our position as a major force on the Australian fastener scene.

Over half a century since our beginning, it's a little wonder that we are still the forerunners. We are proud of our achievements and will continue to strive for excellence, far into the new millennium.

Staetite Fasteners……... Proudly Australian…….…proudly provides the best!