Hills Home Living (HHL) products will soon make their way to Bunnings, following a deal that will see their supplier, AMES Australasia, manufacture and sell the Australian brand’s products.

Hills Limited (HIL) made the decision to sell its home living business following a strategic review that took place after their brand operation agreement with Woolworths terminated in October.

“The Hills of today is a value added distributor of technology products and services and the Company is focused on delivering security and surveillance solutions, audio visual, IT, communications and health solutions. It is important that we remain focused on our core business activities,” said Hills CEO, David Lenz.

“Hills will work closely with AMES Australasia to ensure the successful transition of the HHL business directly from Woolworths,” he said.

The deal will see AMES distribute the HHL products to its retail partners, including Bunnings, which does not currently stock the brand.

Mitre 10, Home Timber and Hardware and Thrifty-Link Hardware are also expected to continue stocking HLL products with AMES.

“We consider this a tremendous development for our business, and have great confidence that the many customers, employees and suppliers of Hills will enjoy the benefits of this new ownership structure. As now part of our global AMES team, Hills will be very well positioned to serve its customers better through our established capabilities in design, marketing, customer service, procurement and distribution,”said AMES CEO, Simon Hupfeld.

AMES has indicated that it intends to revitalise HHL’s primary categories, including clotheslines and laundry products, as well as introducing a wide range of solution-focused products on the home and garden sectors.

Hills had originally signed a seven-year brand licensing agreement to operate the HHL brand with Woolworths in 2014, but it was ended voluntarily after the company announced its exit from the home improvement business and the closure of Masters stores. Woolworths settled three years’ worth of license fee income and cash receipts as part of the agreement to end the contract early.

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