Vailo founder Aaron Hickmann fighting separate debt disputes with a viticulture company and a local metal manufacturer

A millionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Adelaide 500’s main sponsor is the subject of a creditor’s notice for an unrelated company over disputed claims of unpaid debts.

Matt Kowald, 44, of Tailem Bend is involved in a dispute with Mr Hickmann. Picture Dean Martin

A millionaire entrepreneur and the founder of the Adelaide 500’s main sponsor is the subject of a creditor’s notice over disputed claims of unpaid debts by an unrelated company linked to vineyard work.

Credit agency records show Group Logistics Pty Ltd, which manages Adelaide Hills-based Glog Viticulture Management, claims it’s owed an “outstanding” $214,370 invoice from Ikara Estates Pty Ltd.

Vailo founder Aaron James Hickmann, 35, is the sole Ikara Estates director since May last year, Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show.

Mr Hickmann, now of the Gold Coast, disputes the claim and says the work was never completed.

Mr Hickmann, (right) with, from left: V8 driver Nick Percat, Motor Sport Board chief executive Mark Warren and Premier Peter Malinauskas at the Adelaide 500’s official launch in Victoria Square in 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

The notice, visible on CreditorWatch, a credit checking website for lenders, administrators and businesses, does not state any reasons.

Glog chief executive Mark Snelgrove declined to comment, but a company spokesman said it was owed money for work on properties at Birdwood, in the Adelaide Hills, and The Range, near McLaren Vale.

Property records show companies Mr Hickmann is sole director of and owns both large properties with vineyards, which are now for sale and are subject of a finance company’s legal caveats.

Mr Hickmann, who is also embroiled in an unrelated state tax debt dispute and a separate Australian Taxation Office investigation linked to different business dealings, said on Friday: “Enough is enough with people trying to get me down with baseless claims. Ikara Estates does not owe the amount. We have a counter claim as they never completed the work.”

Asked for details, he replied: “The matter is resolved and the amount and the matter is being removed from CreditorWatch.” The notice was still listed on Sunday night.

The row emerged amid another dispute between the Adelaide 500’s naming rights holder and a metal manufacturer over contested claims of an alleged unpaid bill.

It’s claimed Vailo, a lighting company Mr Hickmann founded, failed to pay a more than $30,000 invoice on time, for Lockleys Football Club scoreboard framing in Adelaide’s west.

Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning MVP Dinner at the Titanium Security Arena. Aaron Hickmann, Maxine Ringrow, Mareli Visser and Josh Harris. Picture: Supplied

Matt Kowald, 44, of Tailem Bend, on Sunday revealed he had hired debt collectors to chase $30,414.94 Vailo owed from May.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Hickmann said it was a “matter for the lawyers”.

“Until such time, Vailo is and always has remained on track to continue to help deliver the Fan Favourite Supercars (sic) event since its return under this Government (sic), for South Australia,” he said.

Mr Hickmann’s lawyer, Greg Griffin, said: “There is an ongoing dispute, no judgment, with this contractor that is between the lawyers.

“Such defamatory comments today by (Mr) Kowald, will be vehemently defended and no action is without consequences.”

He last week said the ATO matter had an objection, was not related to Vailo and his client has been compliant.

Mr Hickmann, who is at the centre of an ATO investigation linked to separate business dealings, told Mr Kowald that full payment would occur “in the August pay run”.

Vailo sent no payments, said Mr Kowald, who has since sold his business after 15 years.

He said he had never experienced payment problems with other major clients, including Thomas Foods and the Shahin family’s The Bend Motorsport Park. Mr Kowald, a father of two, has no lawyers and says the invoice has yet to be paid.

Vailo founder and Chief Executive Aaron Hickmann. Picture: Mark Brake

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said: “I don’t care who you are, if you’ve got bills that need to be paid… then you pay those bills.”

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the Liberals “cannot contain themselves in campaigning against the Adelaide 500” and talking down the important economic event.