In 2019, CRC Industries marks a special milestone for its Australian division after 50 years in business.
While CRC was first established in 1958 in a small Pennsylvania garage, the company started manufacturing in Australia after being incorporated as a propriety company of Australia in October, 1969.
The company is a supplier of speciality products for maintenance, repair and overhaul professionals across a wide array of industries including automotive, industrial, mining, food and beverage, utilities and defence.
But CRC’s journey “Down Under” actually began almost a decade earlier, with CRC products distributed within Australia from the United States throughout the 1960s by the Balfour Buzzacott Division of Email Limited, which also distributed the product of the Dymo Labels.
Following the incorporation of CRC Industries Australia as an Australian company, the business model switched to a focus on manufacturing, and facilities at North Ryde in Sydney were established. By 1974, the installation of aerosol and bulk filling lines were completed, allowing locally manufactured CRC products to be sold throughout Australia and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.
With strong growth by 1980, a larger facility was needed and was opened in Castle Hill, in Sydney’s north-west region. Progress continued for the company and in 2004 CRC Industries Australia acquired Australian auto care brand Kitten to join its growing stable of products. To this day, Kitten sits amongst a full range of CRC products, which are produced and packaged in the Castle Hill factory. The products include CRC’s famous 5.56, Brakleen, Penetr8 and CO Contact Cleaner. The company has also established export agreements with more than 15 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
CRC Industries Australia managing director, Shona Fitzgerald, said 50 years of manufacturing is a tremendous milestone. “From the establishment of a small operation in Sydney in 1969, just 11 years after the global beginnings of the company, CRC Industries Australia has experienced exponential growth. The Australian company is a key contributor to the global success of CRC Industries,” said Fitzgerald.
“Our mission is to satisfy the needs of our customers with the highest quality speciality chemical products while always remaining customer focused. We do this in a forward-thinking and creative manner and with a keen focus on innovation and R&D. We empower our employees and support our communities, which has allowed us to prosper where many others have failed.
“Our growth and longevity here in Australia is a true testament to the efforts, dedication and skill of all involved in CRC Industries Australia and I send my thanks to our employees, our suppliers, our distributors and our partners for the roles they have played in bringing us to where we are today,” said Fitzgerald.
“The future certainly looks bright and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve over the next 50 years,” she said.