In 1975, Tony Brown, an experienced off-roader, headed for Cape York in his Series I Land Rover, but soon found himself spending much of his time helping fellow off-roaders in trouble on the trail. If he wasn’t mending flimsy roof racks damaged by the heavy loads typical of Outback travel, he was repairing bumpers and various homemade items that had fallen apart in the difficult terrain. As Tony’s familiarity of these products deficiencies grew, an idea was born – to produce high quality, durable equipment specifically engineered for punishing Outback conditions. Upon his return to Melbourne, Tony set to work in the family garage. His products were to be based on a combination of reliable raw materials and sound design principles – a straightforward solution to a widespread problem.
Starting with his own Series I Land Rover bumper, Tony began making custom-fabricated products that were immediately embraced when they hit the fledgling 4x4 market. At a time when bumpers were inadequate homemade creations, Tony’s products showed proven durability and reliability on the trail. The phenomenal demand from his fellow off-roaders enabled him to move to a 1000sq ft production facility later that same year, and ARB, the initials of Anthony Ronald Brown, was born.
Today, ARB is Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories. What began with custom fabricated bumpers and roof racks has grown to include side rails, rear bumpers, Old Man Emu Suspension, recovery gear, canopies, Air Locker® locking differentials and a host of smaller items from air compressors to tire accessories.
With offices in most major cities and over 100 stockists located around Australia, the company is well equipped to address the needs of all 4WD enthusiasts. Success has also led to a sizeable international presence, with offices in the USA, Thailand and the Czech Republic, as well as an export network reaching across more than 100 countries, from South Africa and Germany to Kazakhstan, Greenland and Mongolia.
ARB has never forgotten its humble beginnings. The harsh conditions of Outback Australia demand resilient, hard working equipment, and ARB continues to focus on quality, reliability and practicality above all else. So whether it’s traversing the Rubicon Trail, playing in Moab, or just heading off to a favorite local destination, you can rely on ARB 4x4 Accessories – your partner in adventure since 1975.
To ensure their products consistently meet your expectations, ARB invests substantial capital into research and design each year. Their design and engineering team utilises the latest CAD, CAM parametric modelling systems and finite element analysis packages, and is supported by independent companies and universities for special projects like vibration, strength and crash testing.
They also devote considerable time and resources toward sourcing new products from around the world. IPF lights from Japan, Warn winches from the United States… they scan the globe in search of equipment that meets both the demands of their customers and their own stringent quality requirements.
In addition, they are constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve their business practices, from distribution to customer service. ARB is a Quality Endorsed Company and wherever they can, they endeavour to ‘raise the bar’.
When you buy ARB, it’s not just a product you take home with you, it’s an ARB guarantee. Reliable Australian company, one of the biggest in the industry A large distribution network across Australia and worldwide in over 120 countries.
ARB continues to maintain its position as an innovator in the industry by utilising the most modern, state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and machinery. Today’s requirements for more complex designs are met by them with one of the most advanced, Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) sheet fabrication facilities.
ARB’s production facility is equipped with a range of state of the art machinery suited to the manufacture of metal products. ARB manufacturing capabilities include laser cutting, guillotining, robot grinding, CNC bending, machining and turning. Theyre equipped with MIG, TIG, robot and spot welding facilities and also have powder coating and spray painting centres.
ARB has a very highly skilled and motivated workforce at ARB manufacturing plants. They have stringent quality and environmental control systems in place, ensuring ARB exceptionally high standards are maintained. These factors, combined with ARB high level of automation, enable them to produce some of the finest 4WD accessories in the world.
Finished goods are stored at ARB’s main warehouse in Melbourne. In addition to the products they make ARB selves, you’ll find floor to ceiling stacks of other leading brand name accessories such as IPF lights, Safari snorkels, Hi-Lift jacks and Warn winches. These products are built to the same uncompromising standards as ARB own, and have been carefully selected to complement the ARB range.
Naturally, they provide a comprehensive warranty with ARB accessories. Products manufactured or solely distributed by ARB have a minimum two-year nationwide warranty.
Your 4WD accessories are an investment. You’re investing in keeping your family safe, protecting your vehicle and safeguarding your adventures. That’s why ensuring you buy the best is so important.
A true passion for off road adventure, backed by an incredible investment in research, development and engineering integrity is the key to producing the world’s best 4WD equipment. And once you head off road, the assurance of support across the entire country is the added insurance on every accessory investment, big or small. Here are some things to look for when choosing where you buy your 4WD accessories.
Expertise
Countless experts are involved in designing and manufacturing your pride and joy; it is vital that just as much goes into the accessories you add to it. Your 4WD upgrades should be planned, engineered and created by a team of qualified experts. Extensive hours need to be invested into designing, testing and developing to ensure that they withstand the rigours of off road life.
Quality
The 4WD accessories you choose should be made in stateof-the-art facilities using only the best materials. Careful attention needs to be paid to make sure they can stand up to harsh outdoor conditions, extreme temperatures and excessive vibrations. UV stability and corrosion resistance is also vital to ensure they stay looking their best.
Passion
To choose to spend your weekends waist deep in mud, digging tyres out of sand, covered in dirt or driving for hours to catch a breathtaking vista, you’ve got to have passion. When buying your 4WD accessories, you want to know that the people who conceptualise, design, create and sell them share this passion. The advice you receive should be from 4WDers who live and breathe the off road life.