Wobble-Tee: Sprinklers built for Aussies

For over 24 years, Wobble-Tee has been manufacturing efficient and effective sprinklers designed specifically to fit Australia’s unique climate. Based in Lake Macquarie, NSW, Wobble-Tee has grown from a small family operation to a wide-reaching and successful business with a team of dedicated local manufacturers.

Owners Tony and Kathy Holmes developed the idea for Wobble-Tee while Tony was working as a parks and gardens supervisor. As Tony learnt about irrigation installation and design, he felt there wasn’t a sprinkler on the market that watered effectively or efficiently enough for Australians. Recognising an opportunity to fill a gap in the market, Tony designed the original Wobble-Tee Sprinkler - a low-pressure sprinkler with good water distribution that perfectly suits the Australian climate and soil types.

The Wobble-Tee Sprinkler has been hugely popular with customers from all over Australia, particularly in rural and farming areas. Praised for its efficiency and wide watering diameter of up to 15 metres, the design is considered ground-breaking in the irrigation industry. In fact, in 2012 the Wobble-Tee Sprinkler was awarded ‘Product of the Year’ by Smart Approved WaterMark for its water efficiency and intricate design of injection moulding tools.

Wobble-Tee later expanded its product range with the development of the Clever Drop Sprinkler. Tony said, “Customers would tell us they loved their Wobble-Tees, and they also wanted something with a smaller watering area.” The Clever Drop Sprinkler is ideal for small lawn areas and gardens and is easy to control. With a watering diameter of up to 8 metres, it uses Wobble-Tee’s patented injection moulding design.

Tony and Kathy continued to respond to customer feedback with the recent release of the RolaRain Sprinkler. Taking all the most popular components of the Clever Drop Sprinkler, the RolaRain is a robust sprinkler suited for agricultural situations and commercial irrigation.

Though Tony and Kathy are now semi-retired they remain at the helm of Wobble-Tee; giving guidance to the new management team, overseeing patents, Registered Designs and trademarks, and looking after the injection moulding machines.

From the base and end caps to the tap adapter and head of the sprinkler, each injection moulding component is designed and manufactured in Adelaide and Sydney. Working closely with local manufacturers has been an integral part of upholding Wobble-Tee’s acclaimed quality.

“When something is made in Australia, you know it’s high quality. Manufacturing locally means we can maintain quality control and check over every step in the process,” Tony said. “We maintain clear communication and transparency with our team in the local factories, as opposed to any language barrier or freight issues that may come with working offshore. People have much higher expectations of something that is Australian Made, compared to something that can be made cheaper overseas.”

Over the years, Tony and Kathy have promoted their sprinklers at many field days and home expos across Australia and are always proud to display the green and gold kangaroo logo on their products.

Kathy said, “The wonderful thing about Australians is that we love to support each other. The Australian Made logo is so easily recognisable and trusted, so having it on our products really draws people in. People know that the logo means our products are genuinely made in Australia, so it makes us stand out amongst the crowd.”

“Because Wobble-Tee products are made from locally-sourced materials, they are more expensive than cheaply-made, low-quality products from overseas. The Australian Made logo quickly and effectively communicates to our customers that the price tag speaks to the quality of our product and that we are supporting Australian jobs. It displays the pride we have in our local manufacturing and gives customers the choice to back their fellow Aussies in their purchase.”

With an assembly staff of local working mums, and a close relationship with the manufacturing teams in Adelaide and Sydney, it’s clear that Wobble-Tee is proudly passionate about supporting local jobs.

“It’s so important to buy Australian Made products whenever you can,” Tony said. “When we buy Australian Made we know that we are giving locals jobs, we are keeping manufacturing in Australia, and we are helping each other out.”