Legendary Australian Company Since 1917
The Quality Difference in Hand Tools
WHOLESALE ONLY - 25 Year Warranty On Australian Made Vices & Clamps
Please purchase from one of our Distributors

Our objective is to provide our customers with high quality, high performance vices, clamps and associated handtools which offer superior value for money. It is our firm belief that our customers seek from us a service which goes beyond the product itself. We will anticipate correctly, future market requirements and provide competitive service to customers.

Our task is to identify the critical elements of our business partnerships and to develop clamping, holding, gripping, fastening and associated handtools which provide both partners with the highest possible level of long term satisfaction. We will achieve this objective providing we maintain a commitment to excellence throughout all aspects of our business. Consequently, we place substantial emphasis on the calibre of our employees for it is they who ultimately shape our company and give it the essential quality necessary for success. We will strive to provide our employees with a challenging and rewarding environment which will extend their capabilities and provide excellent levels of job satisfaction.

Our success in achieving these objectives will be measured by our ability to generate levels of profit that reward investors, sustain long term growth, provide competitive rewards for employees, and benefit the communities in which they live and work.

Dawn commenced operations in the Melbourne suburb of Coburg, Victoria in 1917 under the name of Dawn Manufacturing Co. It was founded by four brothers named Blake, who were all engineers. The first products manufactured were vices.

After the first world war, Dawn grew considerably and was selling its products all over Australia. They were very busy during the depression with each employee working 60-80 hours a week. During the second world war, Dawn was supplying vices and clamps to the Australian Defence Department and to munitions.

In 1959, the company was taken over by the G.N. Raymond Group. The Dawn catalogue now included a wide range of engineer's vices, woodworker's vices, plumber's vices & equipment, G-clamps, quick-action clamps and toggle clamps. In 1973, Dawn was acquired by Siddons Ramset Limited. In December 1991, Dawn became a unit of the United States owned Stanley Works Pty. Ltd.

In November 1998, Dawn regained its 100% Australian ownership and now as a separate strategic business unit, is in an excellent position to improve and expand its manufacturing and marketing operations in Australia.

Once an Interstate visitor walked into the offices of the Dawn Manufacturing Plant, and stated that it had not been necessary for him to make any enquiries in order to locate Dawn, he merely followed the red line which reached unbroken from Northern Queensland to Melbourne. "Dawn" products are finished in a distinctive red paint, and the remark made was no fanciful exaggeration for in almost every factory and workshop in Australia, one or more units of "Dawn" equipment are in use giving reliable service.