Damon Mcknight
ARB, or Australian-based ARB Corporation, is an Australian-owned company that manufactures and distributes aftermarket 4WD parts and accessories. It was founded in 1975 by Anthony Ronald Brown, who returned to Melbourne from a trip to Cape York in his rebuilt Land Rover. Brown started manufacturing roof racks in his driveway and soon expanded to tube bull bars. ARB is now one of the biggest and most respected 4WD accessory companies in the world, with products shipped to over 100 countries. The company has a main facility in Victoria, Australia, and other manufacturing facilities in Australia and Thailand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Anthony (Tony) Ronald Brown |
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Initial Products | Roof racks |
| Current Status | Publicly listed company with a global presence |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia |
| Manufacturing Facilities | Victoria, other Australian states, Thailand |
| Products | 4x4 accessories, suspension systems, air compressors, camping gear, recovery gear |
| Research and Development | In-house R&D with substantial investment in design and engineering |
| Distributors | Globally distributed to over 100 countries |
| Warranty | Minimum 2-year warranty on manufactured and distributed products |
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What You'll Learn
ARB was founded in 1975 by Anthony Ronald Brown
ARB, which stands for the initials of its founder, Anthony Ronald Brown, was founded in 1975. Brown returned to Melbourne from a trip to Cape York in his rebuilt Land Rover, which was equipped with a homemade roof rack. He noticed that other vehicles on the road had poor-quality gear that was prone to failure.
Upon his return to Melbourne, Brown decided to manufacture his own better-quality roof racks, which he sold directly to customers and local companies. This soon led to the production of tube bull bars. Brown's products were exactly what Australian 4WDers had been waiting for, and ARB was born.
The company began in Brown's suburban driveway and soon outgrew the space. Within 12 months, Brown acquired a 93-square-metre workshop in Ringwood, Victoria, hired his first employee, and registered the business name ARB. By 1981, ARB had moved to larger premises, and by 1986, it had relocated again.
Today, ARB is Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories, with its main warehouse in Melbourne, Australia. The company ships its products to over 100 countries worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in Australia and Thailand. ARB is renowned for its in-house development and employs a team of engineers with expertise in various fields, including fabricated products, mechanical products, suspension systems, and camping and recovery gear.
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ARB's products are designed and manufactured in Australia
ARB, or ARB Corporation, is an Australian-based global manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket 4WD parts and accessories. The company was founded in 1975 by Anthony (Tony) Ronald Brown, who began making roof racks in his Melbourne driveway. Tony's products were designed to meet the rigorous demands of 4WD owners, who often faced challenging conditions such as extreme temperatures and heavy loads.
Today, ARB continues to design and manufacture its products in Australia, with a focus on quality and durability. The company employs a team of engineers with expertise in various fields, including fabricated products, mechanical products, suspension systems, and electronics. ARB's main manufacturing facility is located in Victoria, with additional Australian manufacturing facilities and a wholly-owned factory in Thailand.
ARB invests significantly in research and design, utilising state-of-the-art technology and collaborating with independent companies and universities for special projects. They also source products from around the world, ensuring they meet the company's stringent quality standards. ARB's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has made it one of the biggest and most respected 4WD accessory companies globally.
The company's Australian manufacturing facility in Kilsyth, Victoria, spans 16,723 square metres, a testament to its growth from humble beginnings. ARB's products are designed to elevate the off-road experience, and the company has introduced groundbreaking innovations such as the Air Locker, Brushless Air Compressor, and Old Man Emu suspension systems. ARB's success is evident in its share price surge during the lockdowns and its ability to generate significant returns on average equity.
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ARB exports its products to over 100 countries
ARB, the initials of Anthony Ronald Brown, was founded in 1975 by Tony Brown. The idea for the company was born during a 4WDing trip through the Australian Outback, where Tony noticed that 4WDers relied on homemade or ill-fitting equipment that was not designed for extensive Outback expeditions. Upon his return to Melbourne, Tony began manufacturing his own high-quality roof racks and tube bull bars, which he sold directly to customers.
Today, ARB is Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories, with products shipped out to over 100 countries worldwide from its main warehouse in Melbourne, Australia. The company has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a suburban driveway, now operating multiple manufacturing facilities in Australia and a wholly owned factory in Thailand. ARB's products are renowned for their quality and durability, and the company invests heavily in research and design to ensure they meet the demands of its customers.
ARB's export business was significantly boosted by the success of its Air Locker product, which led to the development of the ARB Air Compressor. This portable air compressor has become an essential piece of equipment for many 4WD owners, and it helped expand ARB's reach internationally.
In addition to its own manufactured products, ARB also sources leading brand-name accessories from around the world, including IPF lights from Japan and Warn winches from the United States. These products complement the ARB range and are selected to meet the same uncompromising standards that the company is known for. ARB's commitment to quality is evident in its comprehensive warranty, providing customers with peace of mind and assurance of the company's confidence in its products.
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ARB is a publicly listed company on the ASX
ARB is an Australian success story. What started as a one-man operation in a suburban driveway in Melbourne in 1975 has grown into a publicly listed giant with a huge international footprint. The company founder, Anthony (Tony) Ronald Brown, began manufacturing and selling roof racks and tube bull bars for 4WD vehicles. Through word-of-mouth, Tony's business quickly outgrew his backyard shed, and he soon acquired a 93-square-metre workshop in Ringwood, Victoria, where he hired his first employee.
By 1981, ARB had moved to larger premises, and in 1986, it relocated again. In the late 1980s, ARB acquired Old Man Emu and introduced the Air Locker to the US market, which proved to be a huge success and was key to growing the company's export business. Today, ARB is a publicly listed company on the ASX (ASX:ARB), having listed in 1987. It is Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories, with its main warehouse in Melbourne, Australia, from where it ships products to over 100 countries worldwide.
ARB has manufacturing facilities in Victoria, other locations in Australia, and a wholly owned factory in Thailand. The company is committed to research and design, investing substantial capital each year. Its design and engineering team utilises the latest technology and collaborates with independent companies and universities on special projects. ARB also devotes significant time and resources to sourcing new products globally that meet the demands of its customers and its stringent quality requirements.
ARB's share price soared during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the company experienced significant earnings growth in 2021 and 2022 as consumers, unable to travel overseas, invested in their 4WDs to tour Australia's outback.
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ARB's success is attributed to its focus on quality and durability
ARB, or ARB Corporation, is an Australian-based global manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket 4WD parts and accessories. The company was founded in 1975 by Anthony (Tony) Ronald Brown, who began manufacturing high-quality roof racks and tube bull bars in his Melbourne driveway.
Tony's products were well-regarded for their quality and durability, and this reputation quickly grew through word-of-mouth. Within 12 months, ARB had outgrown the suburban shed and moved to a 93-square-metre workshop in Ringwood, Victoria. This growth continued, and by 1981, ARB had relocated to even larger premises.
Today, ARB continues to focus on quality and durability, investing significant capital into research and design each year. The company employs a team of engineers with expertise in a wide range of fields, including fabricated products, mechanical products, suspension systems, and electronics. ARB also works with independent companies and universities on special projects, such as vibration, strength, and crash testing.
This commitment to quality and durability has paid off, with ARB becoming one of the biggest and most respected 4WD accessory companies in the world. The company has a large international footprint, distributing products to over 100 countries worldwide. ARB's success is further evidenced by its strong financial performance, with earnings surging 97% in 2021 and growing an additional 8% in 2022.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, ARB is Australian-owned and was founded in 1975 by Anthony Ronald Brown, who returned to Melbourne from a trip to Cape York and decided to manufacture his own roof racks.
ARB stands for the initials of its founder, Anthony Ronald Brown.
ARB is a manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories, including suspension systems, recovery gear, and camping equipment.
ARB manufactures products in-house at its main facility in Victoria, Australia, and at other Australian manufacturing facilities. The company also has a wholly owned factory in Thailand.
ARB has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in a suburban driveway. It is now one of the biggest and most respected 4x4 accessory companies in the world, with a large international presence and distributors in over 100 countries.
