Last year Kylie Gorton and the team from Clever Gate Co took out the Australian National Field Days Award of Excellence sponsored by NAB – for their Self Aligning Double Hinged Farm Gate. We caught up with Kylie to see what’s been happening since her big win.
Q: For those who haven’t come across you yet – what’s Clever Gate Co all about?
We make self-aligning double hinge gates, and honestly, they’ve been a bit of a game changer. It all started on our own farm – we had the problem, so we solved it. We hear a lot of people say they wish they’d had this earlier. We get that comment all the time!
Q: How did the self-aligning double hinge gate come to life?
We breed Shorthorns. That’s our background. We’re farmers first, so we know how frustrating gear can be when it’s not built right. That’s where the gate came from – a real need. Winning the award helped validate that market need. Last year at Orange was our first ever ANFD and we walked away with an award. And then we found out about the Fencing Industry of Australia awards (which we didn’t even know existed at the time) and won that too. It gave us a real boost – and some good “paddock cred” with customers.
Q: So what’s in store for visitors at the 2025 Field Days?
Well… we’ve had a lot of demand from bigger properties for longer gates – 20-footers and beyond. But freighting those is a nightmare, so Rodney’s working on a hinge and wheel attachment to turn two gates into one massive swing. It’s basically a trifold gate setup, and we think it could hit spans of 48–56 feet. Ideal for those broadacre farms with big machinery.
Q: With that in mind, have you had interest from overseas yet?
We have!!! When we launched, Tim Thompson – the rural educator and YouTuber – did a video on our prototype. That went a bit nuts. He dropped it Christmas Eve morning and it hit 25,000 views in 24 hours. Now it’s past 250,000 and we’re getting messages from the US, UK, and NZ. We’ve even lodged a US design patent to stay ahead of the game.
Q: What about locally, how are local retailers responding?
Honestly, that’s probably been the hardest part. The feedback from farmers is awesome, but the big retailers are still hesitant. They’ve got long-standing deals with the major players, so we think they’re just not ready to take a punt on something new – even if their customers are asking for it.
Q: So how are you getting your gates into people’s hands?
We’re looking at different options. Our local guy stocks them because we know him. There’s a store in Victoria with a few in stock – again, because someone walked in and asked for them.
One of the best options has been fencing contractors. They use the product all the time and can recommend it. Tomorrow I’m heading to Queensland with 50 gates for a contractor up there. He’ll be a central pick-up point for that region, so people can go directly to him instead of through a store.
Q: That must be a struggle, how else do you get the word out?
Field days are our biggest investment – they’re worth it. We haven’t done much paid advertising, just organic social stuff and a couple of videos. Honestly, we didn’t come from a background in manufacturing – we had a good idea and just backed ourselves. Still figuring it out as we go. We know we need to look at proper marketing, but we just need to get a few more wins under us before we sit and nut that out. We know it’s needed, we just need time and a few more customers.
Q: So, what do you reckon it takes to disrupt the Aussie ag market for your space in particular?
If we knew the secret, we’d be doing it! Honestly, it’s bloody hard. You’ve got to make something genuinely better, and then you’ve got to get it seen. That’s the tough part – cutting through all the noise.
Q: So events like the Field Days must be pretty key for a business like yours?
The Field Days are huge. For us, it’s not just about selling on the day (though that’s great when it happens). Most farmers aren’t rocking up ready to take home a 14-foot gate. It’s about meeting people, showing the quality up close, and building trust.
Farmers are a tactile bunch. They want to touch the product, swing it, feel how much heavier and more solid it is compared to the standard gates. You can see the functionality online, sure – but you can’t feel the difference until it’s right in front of you. That hands-on experience really matters.
And for a lot of farmers, Field Days are one of the few times they actually get off the property and have a proper look around. So we see it as our chance to connect, have a yarn, and let them get a real sense of what we’re about.
Q: Finally, what’s next for CleverGateCo?
Keep listening, keep building, keep showing up. Hopefully, we’ll have the new trifold gate ready to bring to more events, and we’re keen to keep finding folks who want to champion what we’re doing. It’s not about trying to outdo the big guys. It’s about making gates that solve real problems – and getting them into the right hands.
Big thanks to Clever Gate Co for taking the time to chat with the team from the Australian National Field Days. We know how busy life on the farm (and in the workshop) can be, so we appreciate it. You can meet Clever Gate Co at the Australian National Field Days this October or visit their site here.
Ready to join innovators like Clever Gate Co at ANFD 2025? Talk to Jayne and the Field Days team today – they’ll help you stand out, boost your impact, and maybe even take home a prestigious ANFD Award. Get Started Here.