<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/business" rel="" target="" title="company"><span>company</span></a><span> behind one of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australia's"><span>Australia's</span></a><span> most iconic products looks set to be put up for sale as its </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="" title="American"><span>American</span></a><span> owner focuses on operations closer to home.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Griffon Corporation, a US-based conglomerate, announced early this month it will conduct a "comprehensive review of strategic alternatives" for AMES Australia, the company that counts clothesline brand Hills among its portfolio of brands.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As part of that review, it appears AMES Australia could be sold.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/vb-turns-to-new-mid-strength-beer-as-australia-alcohol-habits-change/116eb7c4-71b7-4762-a861-58a263c80396"><strong><span>VB pins hopes on mid-strength as Aussies drop classic beers</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"AMES Australia has grown from a small business acquired as part of AMES in 2010 into a category leader in Australia and New Zealand," Griffon chief executive Ronald J. Kramer told investors on February 5. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We will identify opportunities for our exceptional team in Australia to take the business to the next level while creating value for our shareholders."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He added the move was part of a "fundamental refocusing of our businesses into a pure-play building products company".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/hills-hoist-maker-strategic-review-expected-sale/6e7db2de-2fd6-4bd2-98c7-b28acfa14269" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sussan-ley-resigns-former-liberal-leader-leaves-parliament-federal-politics-news-australia/941c1ee1-4f61-4c4b-9827-62746f0dd213"><strong><span>Sussan Ley's parting shot to Angus Taylor as she leaves politics after 25 years</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The company is also putting AMES's United Kingdom operations through a similar process, and said the brands will be reported as discontinued operations from now on.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>AMES Australia is expected to generate $US40 million ($56 million) in pre-tax earnings this financial year, according to Griffon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The company has a host of garden brands under its umbrella, including Pope hoses and fittings, Trojan tools, and Hills.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-rain-downpour-weather-warnings-adelaide-australia/92b97ab6-8dc6-48b6-b8a2-8f78fab86afa"><strong><span>Shark warning after Sydney deluge floods city</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The latter is the maker of the iconic Hills Hoist clothesline, which were a mainstay of suburban homes for decades and are still seen in back yards to this day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of AMES's products are sold at hardware giants Bunnings and Mitre 10.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Griffon said it is being advised by Goldman Sachs on the strategic overhaul.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>nine.com.au has contacted AMES and Goldman Sachs for comment about what the implications will be for Australian customers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>