Lexi Webster
Repco, an Australian company founded in 1922, is the largest reseller and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand. The company has had a long history in the automotive industry, starting as an automotive grinding business and expanding into retail and manufacturing. Repco's involvement in motor racing, particularly through its partnership with Brabham, helped the company build an international reputation and target the export market. Over the years, Repco has been acquired by various companies and has undergone changes in ownership and structure. Despite this, Repco remains a prominent brand in the automotive aftermarket industry in Australia and New Zealand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding year | 1922 |
| Founding business | Automotive grinding |
| Current status | Largest reseller and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand |
| Listing | Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1937 |
| Ownership | Acquired by CCMP Capital in 2006; currently owned by Genuine Parts Company |
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What You'll Learn
Repco's history
Repco was founded in 1922 as an automotive grinding business and is currently the largest reseller and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand. In the mid-1920s, they opened their first trade supply store for replacement parts. The company made history in Australia in 1937 when they promoted Maud Terdich to Company Secretary, becoming the first female secretary of an Australian public company. During the 1930s, Repco launched its first advertising campaigns, helping to boost its position in the market. By the mid-1930s, the company had established a central position in the Australian automobile market, with over 500 employees.
In 1954, one of the company's engineers, Charlie Dean, led a team in designing and building the Maybach race car, which won the New Zealand Grand Prix that year. In the 1950s, Repco moved into automotive manufacturing and in 1959, they launched their first self-designed and built sports car, 'The Repco Special'. The company's involvement in racing continued into the 1960s, with the development of the Maybach Specials and the Brabham-Repco project, which recorded a Tasman Series round win in 1967. In 1966, Jack Brabham became the first driver to win the Formula One World Championship in a Repco-designed engine, which was also the first Australian engine to win a world championship.
In 1970, the Repco-Holden Formula 5000 engine, designed for Formula 5000 racing, tasted success when Frank Matich won the Australian Grand Prix in a Repco-Holden powered McLaren M10B. By the end of the 1970s, the power for the Repco-Holden V8 engine was rated at approximately 500 bhp. During the 1980s, Repco was acquired by Pacific Dunlop and delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). In 2001, Repco was purchased by a private equity consortium and became a listed company again on the ASX and New Zealand Exchange. Since then, Repco has changed ownership several times and continues to be a leading name in the automotive industry in Australia and New Zealand, spanning over a century.
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International expansion
Repco is an Australian automotive engineering and retail company. It was founded in 1922 by Geoff Russell and first traded under the name Automotive Grinding Company from Collingwood, Victoria. The name Repco is an abbreviation of Replacement Parts Company, reflecting its initial focus on reconditioning engines and specialised manufacturing.
Repco's international expansion has been closely linked to its involvement in motor racing, particularly through its association with Jack Brabham and the development of the Repco Brabham vehicle in the early 1960s. This partnership strengthened Repco's international marketing of its automotive parts and service equipment, as the car began winning races and achieved success in the Tasman Series and Formula One World Championship.
By the mid-1960s, Repco had established itself in the international racing scene, and its engine design and manufacturing capabilities were recognised. The company's success in racing enabled it to build an international reputation, which, coupled with the growing popularity of racing, positioned Repco to target the export market. This was a notable move as it was uncommon for Australian manufacturers at the time.
However, Repco's involvement in international racing was relatively short-lived due to increasing costs and technological advancements in racing car design. By the end of the 1960s, the company had to decide between designing a new engine to stay competitive or exiting Formula One racing. Repco chose the latter, and by the early 1970s, it had abandoned racing altogether.
Despite its withdrawal from racing, Repco continued its international expansion through acquisitions and the establishment of new production facilities. By the end of the 1960s, Repco operated nearly 40 factories across Australia, solidifying its position as one of the country's top manufacturing icons. In 1981, Repco entered the New Zealand market, marking its first expansion beyond Australia.
Over the years, Repco has undergone various ownership changes, including being listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and later acquired by different companies. As of 2013, Repco and the entire Exego group were acquired by the Genuine Parts Company. Today, Repco continues to operate as a retailer of spare parts and motor accessories, with stores across Australia and New Zealand.
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Racing and sponsorships
Repco has a long history of involvement in Australian motor racing. In the 1950s, the company designed and developed the Maybach race car, which won the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix. This early success led Repco to sponsor the Phillip Island Racing Club in 1955.
In the early 1960s, Repco collaborated with Jack Brabham on the design of a new vehicle, the Repco Brabham. By the mid-1960s, the Repco Brabham had started winning races, and in 1966, Brabham became the first driver to win the Formula One World Championship in a car bearing his own name. The Repco-designed engine was also the first Australian engine to win a world championship.
Repco also developed the Repco-Holden Formula 5000 engine, which was used in the 1970 Australian Grand Prix, resulting in a win for Frank Matich, who drove a Repco-Holden-powered McLaren M10B. The engine was then used extensively in various racing vehicles, including cars competing in the Tasman Series, the Australian Drivers' Championship, the Australian Sports Car Championship, and the Australian Sports Sedan Championship.
The success of the Repco Brabham and the growing popularity of racing enabled Repco to establish an international reputation and target the export market. By the end of the 1960s, however, Repco's involvement in international racing became challenging due to increasing costs and technological advancements.
In recent years, Repco has continued its involvement in racing and sponsorships. Since 2021, the company has held the naming rights to the Bathurst 1000 and the Supercars Championship, previously known as the V8 Supercars. The Bathurst 1000, also known as the "Great Race," is the most famous and longest race on the Supercars calendar, attracting large crowds. Repco has also previously sponsored Garry Rogers Motorsport and Dick Johnson Racing, further showcasing their support for motor racing in Australia and beyond.
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Acquisitions and ownership
Repco was founded in 1922 as an automotive grinding business and is currently the largest reseller and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand. The company's first trade supply store for replacement parts opened in the mid-1920s. Repco's replacement parts business grew significantly during the 1930s, particularly during the Depression years, when consumers opted to repair their vehicles instead of purchasing new ones. By the mid-1930s, the company had established itself as a major player in the Australian automobile market, employing over 500 people.
In 1937, Repco was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). During this decade, the company's production accounted for more than two-thirds of its retail sales. The company continued to expand and diversify its operations in the following decades, entering the automotive manufacturing industry in the 1950s. In 1954, Repco designed and built the Maybach race car, which won the New Zealand Grand Prix that same year.
In 1988, Repco was acquired by Pacific Dunlop and delisted from the ASX. The company changed hands several times over the next few decades. In 2001, it was purchased by a private equity consortium before becoming a listed company again as a dual-listed entity on the ASX and the New Zealand Exchange. In 2006, following the acquisition of all shares by CCMP Capital, Repco was once again delisted. Finally, in 2013, Repco and the entire Exego group were acquired by the Genuine Parts Company.
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Repco today
Repco is the largest auto parts and car accessories retailer in Australia, with over 320 physical stores and an online presence. The company has an extensive range of popular products, including brake pads, car batteries, coolant, dash cams, engine oils, headlight globes, interior car accessories, oil filters, transmission fluid, and wiper blades.
Repco's distribution system and regional store network are designed to efficiently service country towns and provide customers with the right parts and accessories at the right time. The company has an Australasian footprint of over 400 stores and a staff of over 4000, giving it unmatched distribution capabilities.
Repco has a long history in Australian motor racing, dating back to the 1950s with the development of the Maybach Specials engine, which won the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix. The company has since been involved in various racing projects, including the Brabham-Repco collaboration in the Tasman Series and the development of the Repco-Holden Formula 5000 engine.
Today, Repco continues to be involved in motor racing and has held the naming rights to the Bathurst 1000 and Supercars Championship since 2021. The company has also sponsored various racing teams and events over the years, including Garry Rogers Motorsport, Dick Johnson Racing, and the 1979 Round Australia Trial.
Repco's partnership with GPC, a world leader in automotive parts, has positioned the company for significant growth in Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia Pacific region. With GPC's support, Repco aims to increase the speed of its planned growth and further enhance its distribution capabilities and online solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Repco is not Australian owned. It was acquired by CCMP Capital in 2006 and delisted. On 1 July 2013, Repco was acquired by Genuine Parts Company.
Repco was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 1937 and was Australian-owned until it was acquired by Pacific Dunlop in 1988.
Repco is the largest reseller and supplier of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories in Australia and New Zealand.
Repco was founded in 1922 as an automotive grinding business.
