Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann to offload Wayville site amid company’s move to Queensland

Vailo’s redevelopment of a Wayville office building has ground to a halt as founder Aaron Hickmann looks to offload the site as part of his move to Queensland.

Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann outside the Wayville building earlier this year. Picture: Ben Clark

Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann’s redevelopment of a Wayville office building has ground to a halt as he looks to offload the site as part of the lighting company’s move to Queensland.

Mr Hickmann acquired the property at 60 Greenhill Rd for $10.5m in 2022 with plans to transform it into a new R&D and manufacturing hub.

The project was initially expected to be completed at the beginning of this year, but progress has slowed following the announcement in January that Vailo would relocate its manufacturing operation to the Sunshine State.

In a statement, the company confirmed it was now looking to sell the two-storey building, but said its main R&D activities would remain in Adelaide.

“Negotiations are underway with the Tonsley Innovation District from 2025,” the company said.

“The South Australian government-led district … has become a test-bed for developing and trialling new innovations and technologies.

“The company’s Wayville site, originally earmarked for a joint R&D and manufacturing facility, will be sold.

The Wayville building before Mr Hickmann’s acquisition.

“The opening of a manufacturing facility in Queensland and retention of R&D in South Australia will see Vailo accelerate the growth of its workforce from the 27 currently employed by the company across the country.”

Property records reveal that the Wayville property is subject to a mortgage to NAB, and a caveat held by Bizcap - a small business lender that holds caveats over several of Mr Hickmann and wife Maxine Hickmann’s properties in Adelaide and on the Gold Coast.

Vailo will relocate its manufacturing facility from Adelaide to a space currently under negotiation in the Yatala Enterprise Area on the Gold Coast.

Mr Hickmann said the move was designed to accelerate the growth of Vailo in the eastern states and internationally.

“Vailo will be better placed for the major investments being made into sporting and other infrastructure ahead of the Brisbane Olympic Games and will benefit from being part of an entrepreneurial, innovative and progressive environment in which to conduct business,” he said.

“The Queensland community is incredibly supportive to local manufacturing, while backing local companies for local projects.”

It was revealed last week that a company directed by Mr Hickmann’s wife, Maxine Hickmann, splashed out $12.11m on a waterfront home in Queensland’s exclusive Sanctuary Cove in September last year as the family looks to cash in on the 2032 Olympic Games.

Around the same time Mr Hickmann sold two adjoining properties on King William St in Kent Town – Vailo’s previous R&D and manufacturing base – for a combined $5.87m.