Melburnian family business emphasises ladder of opportunity for storage

A small company in Melbourne makes products from scratch to exploit something most Australians overlook: the potential of their attic. Nicholas Way speaks to Robyn Rutley from AM-BOSS Access Ladders in this instalment of our Celebrating Australian Made series.

For many Australians, the space between the ceiling and roof is little more than an afterthought. But for AM-BOSS Access Ladders, it’s a hidden opportunity – an untapped storage haven waiting to be accessed safely and efficiently.

For 46 years, this Melbourne-based, family-owned company has been leading the charge in transforming unused attic spaces into practical extensions of the home.

At the heart of the operation is Robyn Rutley, director and owner of AM-BOSS, who proudly took the reins from her father, Werner Hecht.

“Designing, manufacturing, installing and distributing premium pull-down attic access ladders is still our core business,” Rutley says.

“We’ve expanded into commercial and fire-rated ladder solutions, but our residential models remain the backbone of what we do.”

These aren’t just any attic ladders. AM-BOSS ladders are engineered for safety, durability and ease of use, built with premium materials in Australia. Each model is CodeMark certified and fully compliant with the National Construction Code (NCC), offering customers quality assurance and peace of mind.

“Our ladders make accessing your attic not only possible but safe, stylish, and smart,” says Rutley.

“We offer a range of materials and colours to suit any home or building.”

Like many successful Australian businesses, AM-BOSS was born from a simple need. In the 1970s, Werner – an immigrant plumber from Germany – went looking for a quality attic ladder. When he couldn’t find one, he built his own.

A visit to the Melbourne Home Show almost stopped him in his tracks when he saw a similar product on display. But a closer inspection reassured him – his design was superior. And with that belief, AM-BOSS was born.

Today, AM-BOSS turns over around $1 million annually and employs a dedicated team of seven. While small in size, the company’s impact is anything but.

What still surprises Rutley is how many Australians overlook the potential of their attic. “In countries like Germany, attic access is just normal – it’s built into the culture.

“But here, people often don’t realise how valuable that space can be. Now, with shrinking home sizes, more and more Australians are discovering how a quality attic ladder can give them the extra storage they desperately need.”

From Christmas decorations to baby keepsakes, even model plane collections, Rutley has seen it all.

“We’ve built custom ladders for people storing everything from heirlooms to hobby gear in their ceilings. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people make use of every inch of their home.”

Beyond functionality, what sets AM-BOSS apart is its commitment to Australian manufacturing. Customers can buy directly from the Sunshine factory in Melbourne’s west or through a network of distributors nationwide.

And unlike competitors who import parts and assemble them locally, AM-BOSS builds every ladder from scratch – designed, cut, welded and tested – in Australia.

“We could send production offshore and boost our profit margins,” Rutley admits.

“But we wouldn’t be giving Australians jobs, and we couldn’t proudly say we’re Australian made. And for me, that’s non-negotiable. We’re about quality, reliability and supporting local.”

Pictures: supplied

Celebrating Australian Made is an annual editorial series, coinciding with Australian Made Week and commissioned by the Australian Made Campaign to share its members’ stories. For more information on how you can get your products certified as Australian Made, visit this link.