As the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) Conference rolls into Sydney this week, it’s a fitting moment to acknowledge a major milestone for one of Australia’s most iconic automotive brands. ARB 4×4 Accessories is celebrating 50 years of innovation, adventure, and engineering excellence in 2025.
Founded in 1975 by Anthony Ronald Brown—whose initials give the company its name—ARB started in a humble Melbourne garage. Inspired by a rugged trip to Cape York, Brown saw the need for tougher, more reliable off road equipment. This led to ARB’s first products: roof racks and bull bars designed to withstand the harshest Australian conditions. That pioneering spirit has remained a core part of the business ever since.
Today, ARB is a global leader in 4×4 accessories, with products distributed in over 140 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia. Its reputation is built on durability, performance, and a relentless focus on quality through in-house design, manufacturing, and testing.
To mark the 50-year milestone, ARB is celebrating in true off road fashion. It kicked off the year with a high-country adventure in Victoria and is set to tackle four more iconic Australian destinations—including Cape York and the Simpson Desert—before heading overseas for additional global expeditions. These journeys serve as a testament to ARB’s ongoing commitment to adventure and its strong international network of customers and partners.
For fleet buyers attending AfMA, ARB’s story is a reminder of the value in local manufacturing, product longevity, and equipment designed to meet the demands of Australia’s toughest terrain. Whether it’s a mining vehicle build, a local government ute, or a remote-area service truck, ARB’s products have become a trusted choice across industries.
New Product – ARB SmartBar Multi-purpose Jack Base
The ARB SmartBar Multi-Purpose Jack Base is a rugged and essential safety tool designed for vehicles with raised suspension—particularly those lifted between 2 to 3 inches above standard factory height. Engineered and manufactured in Australia, this clever device enhances the lifting capabilities of factory-supplied bottle or scissor jacks by providing an additional 75mm of lift height. It ensures a stable lifting platform, which is crucial for safe vehicle maintenance, especially in off-road, fleet, and remote worksite environments.
Built with roto-moulded construction, the jack base is made to withstand harsh operating conditions, making it an ideal fit for commercial and mining vehicles. A standout feature is its dual-purpose functionality—it also serves as a wheel chock, adding an extra layer of safety when jacking up a vehicle. The addition of reflective side panels ensures better visibility and safer operation in low-light environments.
With a 2,000kg rated load capacity, the Multi-Purpose Jack Base balances strength, safety, and convenience. At just 2.2kg and with compact dimensions (360mm long, 210mm wide, and 135mm high), it is a lightweight yet robust solution for field-based operations where conventional jacking tools fall short. Available in high-visibility yellow and grey variants, it’s a practical addition to any 4×4, fleet, or mining vehicle’s toolkit.
