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ARB

ARBAustralia’s largest manufacturer and distributor

of 4×4 accessories

Four wheel driving (or 4WDing as it’s known to enthusiasts) does have dual purposes though, one is more recreational, whilst the other is a very practical commercial requirement for such vehicles. In its practical guise, 4WDing allows farmers to access remote, usually inaccessible parts of their land and home owners in more rural areas to travel unsurfaced tracks to the shops. It facilitates the transportation of people, goods, medicine and equipment across harsh terrain such as Africa all with minimal fuss.

Mention the phrase ‘4x4’ or ‘off-roading’ to most people and it will most likely conjure images of excitement and

adrenaline. Imagine a roaring V8 engined vehicle powering its occupants over Egyptian sand-dunes, through the harsh Australian outback, or up a wet mountain in Wales or New Zealand and you’re on the right lines.

accessories and equipment for 4WDers were either ill-fitting or homemade. Back then before specialised equipment, the extreme heat, harsh unforgiving terrain and heavy loads carried, were punishing on both vehicles and equipment alike. It was through this experience that Brown’s idea for high quality, durable

FIT FOR PURPOSEReliability though, is paramount to any 4WDing activity, which is where ARB, with its head office in Victoria, Australia, factor in. Founder Tony Brown was inspired following a 4WDing trip though the top end of Australia in the 70’s. He noted how, at the time, practically all

equipment to meet the vigorous demands of 4WD owners, was born. As a result, in 1975 upon his return to Melbourne, Brown put theory into practice founding ARB to address some of the product deficiencies he’d previously encountered. Now in 2015, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the company, ARB

has gone on to become Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories also servicing over 100 countries across the globe.

DESIGN THROUGH INNOVATIONARB holds a simple policy, it stands behind every single product manufactured at its modern state-

rhinorack.com.au

rhinorack.com.au

of-the-art fabrication plant. It implements a very stringent quality control system, to ensure that its own exceptionally high standards are maintained. The company also stocks a number of leading brand name accessories, carefully selected to ensure the same high standards of manufacture and all with a minimum 2 year warranty.

The list of products is impressively extensive having grown over a number of years to include: compressors; bull-bars; recovery equipment; fridges; roof racks; lighting with many more accessories to compliment the modern 4x4 vehicle. Of course the innovation does not stop once a product has been created, the company

undertakes constant re-assessment of each product, tweaking, improving and re-engineering where necessary to ensure the highest quality and reliability possible.

LOOKING TO THE FUTUREIn 2014, ARB experienced good growth, expanding its site locations by opening two new stores in

Australia and new distribution centres in Florida, USA and in Prague, Czech Republic. Ensuring that it remains as the market leader, ARB invested in extensive computer aided testing with Bosch Australia, to asses its products compatibility with Electronic Stability Control. Further to this it also undertook significant ANCAP testing to measure the impact of bull bars on vehicle safety ratings.Financially, the company sits on solid foundations and has experienced some exceptional growth over the past 10 years with an average compound growth rate of 11.2% per annum. At the end of the 2014 financial year, ARB had achieved sales in excess of $292 million with net profit after tax of $42.6 million, an increase of 0.5% over the previous year’s net profit post tax.In 2015, ARB will focus heavily on releasing innovative new products which have already been developed along with opening new stores in new locations. It aims to have its engineers expand the range and ensure that each product continues to meet the extremely high expectations it holds itself up to.While the world of 4WDing is tough, punishing and demanding, ARB continues to ensure that the lives of those undertaking these pursuits, are a little easier. With such high levels of quality and reliability for its parts and accessories, ARB enables 4WDers to focus more on the enjoyment of the sport, or the fulfilment of commercial requirements with a little less worry.

African Business Coverage Issue 9

Oliver Moy PublisherFor enquiries emailokm@aubusinesscoverage.com