Hard Yakka is an Australian clothing company that specialises in workwear, safety footwear, and related accessories. The company was founded in 1935 in Brunswick, Victoria as D. K. Laidlaw & Sons Pty Ltd, but later adopted the brand name Hard Yakka, Yakka being Australian slang for work.
Hard Yakka is considered one of the largest suppliers of workwear in the Southern Hemisphere and manufactures clothing designed for use in various industries including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
History
Hard Yakka began when David K. Laidlaw started producing overalls and heavy-duty clothing in his parents’ home in Brunswick, Victoria.[1] As demand grew, the company expanded its operations, moving into an old army hall in Sunbury, followed by factories in Brunswick and Broadmeadows. The Broadmeadows facility later became the company headquarters.[2]
In the 1970s, Hard Yakka gained wider recognition through advertising campaigns, including the “Railway” television commercial featuring a chant written by musician Mike Brady. Other advertisements during this period also contributed to the brand’s association with Australian workwear.[3][4]