The company has come a long way from its modest beginnings in 1977, when a tiny manufacturing business was started in Ararat, through good times, difficult times, and a series of name changes. However, our longevity and success have been largely due to the spirit and enthusiasm of the people involved with the company.

Barry Tyrell left the company, originally known as T.C.T. (Gene Travaglini, Peter Carthew, and Barry Tyrell), in 1978 and moved back to Melbourne as a result of early financial difficulties. There was a future, but some improvements were required, according to Peter Carthew's analysis and calculations.

The first change occurred in 1979 when the business adopted the moniker CTA, which stands for Carthew Travaglini Australia.