After years of independent ownership, the Australian Horse Shoe Nail Co. has become part of the Mustad group of footcare supply companies. Due to the need for more extensive involvement in other family businesses, Rick and Lynda Schutz indicated in a mid-June letter to customers that they have sold the nail business, which has been a major nail supplier in the Australian and Asian regions along with limited exports to other areas, such as North America.

The family also owns Miric Industries, which serves the automotive industry, and Ceramet Industries, a company that is developing a new high technology venture for other areas of the Australian economy. These companies are located in Ballarat, Australia, while the nail company was headquartered in Dalcombe, Australia.

“We currently employ in excess of 120 employees at our two facilities in Ballarat and are very pleased that the brand of nails we have built over many years will continue to have a major impact in the Australian and Asian markets,” says Rick Schutz. “The prime reason for exiting the hoof-care industry is so we can expand the high technology business in Ballarat. All employees who have been involved in nail production will be provided with employment opportunities in the new company.”

In the future, Australian nails will be manufactured in one of the Mustad Horseshoe Nail factories located in other parts of the world. Efforts will be made to maintain the design features of the Australian Nail and new nail designs nails are expected to…