Supercheap Auto
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| Type | Public (ASX) |
|---|---|
| Founded | Brisbane, Queensland (1972) |
| Founder(s) | Reg and Hazel Rowe |
| Headquarters | 751 Gympie Road, Lawnton, Queensland 4501 and 5 Timberly Road, Mangere, South Auckland. |
| Number of locations | 251 (40 New Zealand) |
| Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
| Key people | Peter Birtles, Managing Director David Ajala, Chief Operating Officer Pam Pugsley, General Manager Retail Operations |
| Industry | Retail |
| Products | Automotive Parts and Accessories |
| Employees | 4000+ |
| Website | http://www.supercheapauto.com.au http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz |
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This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (December 2006) |
Super Cheap Auto is an Australian-based automotive retailer. Over the past 15 years, Supercheap Auto has experienced more than 25% compound annual revenue growth. The managing director is Peter Birtles.
Contents |
[edit] History
Super Cheap Auto was founded in 1974, operating as a Mail-Order business.
In 1993, the business was operating seven stores and Bob Thorn joined the company as Director of Retail Operations. Within 12 months the number of stores operating increased to 14 and Bob Thorn was appointed General Manager. In 1997, Bob Thorn was appointed Managing Director and he remained in this role until his resignation in January 2006. Bob Thorn was an extremely passionate leader and he drove the growth of the business to over 200 stores.
Super Cheap Auto opened its first stores in New South Wales in April 1997, the Australian Capital Territory in September 1999, the Northern Territory in February 2001, Victoria in August 2001 and Tasmania in August 2002.
Super Cheap Auto acquired the Perth based Marlows business in May 2003. Marlows was the largest independent retailer of automotive parts and accessories in Western Australia and South Australia at that time, operating 20 stores in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria under the Marlows and Rocca Bros brand names.
In July 2004, the company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, the initial public offering was well received in the market and in fact was oversubscribed resulting in a scale back of the general public offering.
Bob Thorn retired after many successful years as Managing Director although he still does appear in some of the company's classic 'Steve Lenda' advertisements. The company has 250 stores throughout Australia and also in New Zealand, the most recent and 250th being Timaru in New Zealand.
Since 2006, Super Cheap Auto has been gradually re-branding the business, starting with a re-worked logo in 2006, following with new uniforms and a new look in-store, to present a more 'professional' image. Super Cheap Auto is also currently in the process of re-branding home brands such as Super Works to SCA, with new look packaging and has introduced other home-brands such as the premium Calibre line.
[edit] Store Formats
From the commencement of its automotive accessories retail business in 1974, Supercheap Auto has grown to 251 non-franchised stores across every state and territory in Australia and in both islands of New Zealand. The phenomenal growth over the years of Supercheap Auto has seen the recent development of new store formats including a 1000sqm Superstore at Caboolture QLD and smaller 400sqm & 200sqm stores to compliment our traditional 700 sq m formats.
[edit] Sponsorship
Super Cheap Auto is one of the biggest automotive retailers in Australia. They also hold sponsorship rights to the well known Bathurst 1000, it also sponsors a V8 SuperCar team as well in addition to many other events and shows, one of which was the Australian TV Show Friday Night Games.
[edit] External links
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