ARB 4x4 Accessories (1975), deep-dive sneak peek.

A snippet of the first deep-dive from our new 'Overlanding Crowd' newsletter.

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Here’s a snippet of our first deep-dive..

From Outback Garage to Global Force: The Story of ARB

When Tony Brown took his Land Rover deep into the Australian bush in the early 1970s, he wasn’t thinking about starting a global company. He was just frustrated — his gear kept failing in the harsh terrain. That frustration turned into fabrication. And that fabrication turned into ARB, now one of the most respected 4x4 accessory brands in the world.

Founded in 1975, ARB started with hand-welded roof racks and bull bars built in Tony’s garage in Melbourne. As more people explored remote Australia, demand for reliable overland gear exploded — and ARB was ready. The company grew organically, driven by word-of-mouth and grassroots credibility.

Over time, ARB formalized into ARB Corporation Ltd and is now publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: ARB). But despite corporate structure and international growth, it’s never lost its DNA: solve real problems for real off-roaders.

Today, ARB operates in 100+ countries and leads in:

  • Locking differentials (Air Lockers)

  • Suspension systems (Old Man Emu)

  • Canopies, drawers, and modular storage

  • Rooftop tents, compressors, recovery gear, and more

Financial Snapshot (FY2024):

  • Revenue: A$694.5 million

  • Net Profit: A$102.7 million

  • Operating Margin: 25%

  • Return on Equity: 15.8%

  • Debt-free with continued R&D and retail investment
    📊 Full source (analysis only, never investment advice)

Key Growth Moves:

  • Expansion of retail hubs (Toowoomba, Christchurch, etc.)

  • Strategic acquisition of MITS Alloy

  • Increased global focus — particularly in North America and the Middle East

  • Tight integration with global platforms like the Ford Ranger, Toyota LC70, and more

While ARB has weathered challenges like supply chain volatility and rising competition, it remains a community-driven business at heart — still designing and testing in the same rough environments that inspired its creation.

What makes ARB special?
It wasn’t founded in a boardroom — it was born in the bush. And it’s still led by the mindset that gear should never be your weak point when the trail gets tough.

Remember, this is a separate B2B newsletter that focuses on the business of Overlanding / Vanlife / Vehicle based camping, which will include industry tactics, trends and insights. And it’s free.