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History
Through the roots of Hopkin Bros & Odlum or JH Fenner, our manufacturing history goes back over 100 years.
Two British belting tradesmen, Arthur and Charles Hopkins began manufacturing leather belting in Melbourne, not far from the site of today's main plant. They were joined in 1891 by an Australian, George Odlum.
The company of Hopkins Bros. & Odlum prospered during one of the most exciting periods of Australian mining, making belting for Mt. Morgan in Queensland, Broken Hill in New South Wales, Mt. Lyell and Mt. Zeehan in Tasmania and Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Conditions were tough with extremes of temperature, dust storms, drought and sudden storms. Communication and supply lines barely existed and equipment provided to those mining pioneers had to be solid and enduring.
Originally both Hopkin Bros & Odlum or JH Fenner used leather to make their belts. In the 1920's rubber and textile began to be used and were the prototypes of the products we know today. The products became renown for their quality. And quality remains the key to the on-going success of our core products, the Apex Ply Belt and Fenner Solid Woven Belt.