Our Story
HELMAR AUSTRALIA is a family owned company founded in 1970 by Les Ripper in his home garage. Something you could not do today. Our company started initially with three business interests which were importing giftware, plastics recycling and chemical products.
A strange combination but essentially similar in that all involved marketing & distribution of a finished product.  Â
Early on
In the early years the primary focus was on Helmar Pty Ltd, the giftware side of the business which grew to become one of the largest importer/wholesalers of Giftware in Australia with offices in Artarmon (NSW) then Rozelle (NSW) & Petrie Terrace in Brisbane (QLD). In 1976 Les sold the business to Joe White Indentors a subsidiary of Joe White Maltings, a public company looking to diversify its operations. Helmar still remained under family management with Les Ripper as Managing Director. Through this acquisition we now also had an office in Melbourne (Victoria). Helmar Chemical Products Pty Ltd continued along under its own steam with little expansion in the product range but continued with growing demand for its products. In 1988 Joe White Maltings due to the recession that we had to have. According to Paul Keating the then Commonwealth Government Treasurer changed its vision and sold or closed down all business’ it considered not associated with its core food businesses.
Starting again
In 1988 Les then re-acquired Helmar Chemical Products which then became Helmar Sales Pty Ltd. Re-starting with just three products H4000 Silicone Spray, H8000 Release agent and Dustaway. His son Mark Ripper joined the company later that year. The product range was later expanded to include automotive products ( a range which as been since discontinued), adhesives and arts & craft products. Over time it has expanded to over 50 different products with more products being introduced each year.   Â
Progress through the years
In 1992 the company name was changed from Helmar Sales Pty Ltd to Helmar Australia Pty Ltd to reflect the changes in the operation of the company from a primarily wholesale & distribution business to a manufacturing, marketing, distribution and export business.
1993 saw the move from Castle Hill NSW to larger premises at Riverstone NSW and the beginning of our export journey. With greater demand for our products coming from around the world and especially North America, South America, Europe, the South Pacific and the Middle East.
This period also saw the beginning of Helmar Australia exhibiting internationally with regular exhibits at the winter HIA trade show (later the CHA trade show) , which moved location each year around the USA. Las Vegas Nevada, Dallas Texas, Atlanta Georgia, Anaheim California, Los Angeles California, Orlando Florida were some of the locations over the years.
A smaller show, ACCI Summer show in Chicago Illinois was another regular exhibit for Helmar Australia . Even into Europe with HIA’s one and only trade show at the MECC in Maastricht Netherlands and another held at the NEC in Birmingham, England.
A lot of good exposure for Helmar products, good business, new friends and experiences.
2006 saw the purchase of a more suitable 1/2 acre industrial site in Riverstone NSW.
2009 ushered in the start of Helmar USA Inc. after a number of false starts and inconsistent business with the local distributors. Originally starting in California but with most of our customers in the mid west and east coast the move was made to Huntersville, North Carolina. Not long after settling in and finding our feet again, a local major road works program appeared. The demolition of the building we were located in was set. A move to temporary premises in Mooresville, North Carolina was made . The vision and intention of seeking a permanent location in our new locale was inadvertently cut short by the covid plandemic. With repeated Covid lockdowns and restricted travel over an extended period of time. The reluctant decision was made to call it a day and close Helmar USA Inc.
2010 Saw the retirement of Les Ripper and the end of great partnership between father and son.
2022 came the passing of Les Ripper in October, a very sad day and the end of an era.
Today
Today we continue to operate a modern, well equipped manufacturing plant based in Riverstone, NSW, Australia. (In the outer north-west Sydney Metropolitan area)Â
We continue to specialise in the manufacture, formulation, marketing and supply of aerosol products and liquid products. The application of our now extensive range of products is vast – through many market sectors covering Industrial, DIY, Art & Craft, Firearms and manufacturing applications .
Our principal business remains relatively the same including but not limited to the supply and manufacture of products and services for all types of industries utilising packaged products for industrial applications and consumer applications. Lubricants & release agents for consumer & industrial applications. Adhesives for most manufacturing applications with timber & consumer uses. Spray adhesives for consumer & industrial applications. Aerosol products for the Electronic industry. Specialty adhesives for Craft & Textile applications. Specialised coatings and finishes for Art applications. Various liquid products and aerosol products fora number of  specific applications.Â
A Quality System to AS 9002/ISO 9002 has been developed and implemented to ensure that all customer requirements are satisfied. The quality system is applicable to all departments and to all activities undertaken by our company.
Mark Ripper – Managing Director