Kookaburra is an Australian based sports equipment factory named after the Australian kingfisher. The company is best known in the field of hockey and cricket, manufacturing a wide range of gears, equipments, and apparel for these popular sports.
Kookaburra was founded as A.G. Thompson Pty Ltd in 1890 by Alfred Grace Thompson. Thompson was a migrant harness and saddle maker but when he realized that he will soon be out of job because of the advent and growing popularity of the motor car, he turned to creating cricket balls. He used his skills and expertise to develop the balls that the company was selling.
By the mid-1980s, the company expanded its cricket product range to include clothing, footwear, bats, and various protective equipment.
Although the company’s major operations are centered in Australia, it has offices in most of the cricket playing countries – including India, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The company also sponsors many international cricketers, currently including South African Abraham de Villiers and Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
Currently, the company markets 3 models for both the UK and Australia, namely Kahuna, Impulse, Ricochet, Bubble and Menace cricket bats.