Downee Information

It all began in 1928, when a young “Bill” Downey, driven by a passion for creating practical solutions, set up a small manufacturing workshop in Sydney. In the midst of the Great Depression, Bill’s invention—the Downee Rabbit Trap—became a lifeline for countless Australians, enabling them to provide for their families in the toughest of times. But Bill was more than an inventor; he was a man of the people. He travelled over 13,000km across Australia in his 1927 Chrysler, not just to sell his product, but to listen, to learn, and to support those who relied on his traps. His dedication to understanding his customers’ needs and his willingness to go the extra mile—literally—laid the foundation for what Downee would become. As the decades passed, Downee evolved, expanding from rabbit traps to automotive components, and later, to gate and fence hardware. In recent years, we’ve embraced the future, developing our own range of gate automation products while staying true to our roots of quality and reliability. No matter the challenge, we have stood by our customers, just as Bill did, with steadfast support and cutting-edge solutions. Today, as an Australian brand with a rich 96-year legacy, we remain committed to those values. We are here for the businesses, the tradespeople, and the communities shaping perimeter access across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. We don’t just sell products; we offer a partnership built on trust, expertise, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed. As we look to the future, we carry forward the spirit of Bill Downey—innovative, dependable, and ready to serve. Downee stands as your complete perimeter solutions partner offering gate automation, fence, door and gate hardware for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Our extensive distribution network includes offices and trade centres across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring availability.