Flexible Drive

What Flexible Drive does

Flexible Drive Pty Ltd is an Australian privately-held manufacturer and distributor of automotive, transport, defence, marine, industrial and aviation control systems and replacement parts, headquartered at 3 Concorde Drive, Keilor Park, Victoria. Operating for over 85 years under Rushton family ownership since the mid-1980s management buyout, the business combines in-house Australian manufacturing (mechanical cables since 1939, brake rotors, flexible shaft systems), rapid prototyping via Form 3+ 3D printing, and authorised distribution of European principals (REMSA, Doga, Fibet, Lord, Karman, ECCO). The product platform spans eight categories: wiper systems, cables and controls, braking (pads, rotors, hydraulics), anti-vibration mounts, sensing and tracking, decision support software, electronic control systems (solenoids, pressure switches, FD20 line) and safety systems.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise field sales through five state offices (VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA), a national call centre (1300 363 735), field sales engineers providing technical support, and a B2B authorised distributor network transacting via the eCat electronic catalogue platform with VIN/Rego and cross-reference search. Revenue is generated through OEM parts supply (hardware sales to manufacturers such as PACCAR/Kenworth, HSV, Bombardier/Alstom, Australian Defence, Royal Australian Navy, Terex), aftermarket distribution of replacement parts through resellers and workshops, and custom-engineered solutions including remote valve operating systems (Safe Operator and Aktivo brands) plus rapid-turnaround custom cable manufacturing and repair services. Pricing is quote-based for engineered solutions and standard parts pricing through the distributor eCatalogue; pricing is not publicly disclosed. ISO 9001:2015 certification has been continuously maintained since January 1996, with the most recent three-year recertification in November 2019.

Flexible Drive holds strategic positions in niche low-volume OEM applications where global Tier 1 suppliers are unwilling to provide service, supported by domain expertise in mechanical, hydraulic, electronic and now software-enabled control systems. Long-tenured reference customers include Australian Defence Force Hawkei vehicles, Royal Australian Navy HMAS Westralia, Bombardier/Alstom E-class trams and Sydney Growth Trains, PACCAR Kenworth trucks (10ppm 2024 supplier quality award) and Terex Brisbane-built cranes. The company sources long-term R&D through research partnerships with RMIT University and the University of Adelaide, exploring AI/ML-enabled incident collision avoidance and vibration isolation, though these remain at research-stage without commercial productisation. Operations are exclusively Australian; no international operating geographies or cross-border revenue are disclosed.

Name

Flexible Drive

Legal name

Flexible Drive Pty Ltd

Website

https://flexibledrive.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flexible Drive Pty Ltd is a privately-held Australian manufacturer and distributor of control systems and replacement parts, including mechanical cables, brake components, wiper systems, anti-vibration mounts, and remote valve operating systems, serving OEMs, aftermarket distributors, defence primes and fleet operators across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. OEM Parts Supply: Supply of original equipment manufacturer parts and control systems to vehicle manufacturers and industrial equipment makers. Long-term partnership arrangements with OEMs for ongoing component supply.
2. Aftermarket Distribution: Distribution of replacement parts including brake rotors, pads, hydraulics, control cables, and sensors to automotive resellers, workshops, and fleet operators through authorised distributor network.
3. Custom Manufacturing and Repair: Custom engineering, cable repair, and fabrication services. Manufacturing of bespoke control cables, cable end fittings, and component assembly for specialised applications.
4. Engineered Solutions: Custom engineering solutions including remote valve operating systems, camera monitoring systems, and integrated control systems developed for specific customer requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Flexible Drive is an Australian manufacturer and aftermarket parts distributor of automotive control systems and replacement parts for the transport, defence, marine, industrial and aviation sectors. Its range covers mechanical control cables, push-pull cables, wiper systems (motors, arms, blades), REMSA brake pads and rotors, brake hydraulics, anti-vibration mounts, electronic controls, sensors and safety systems, backed by in-house custom cable manufacturing (since 1939), 3D printing and rapid prototyping, and engineered solutions such as Safe Operator and Aktivo remote valve operating systems.

Product overview

Flexible Drive is an Australian manufacturer and distributor of control systems and replacement parts serving the transport, defence, marine, industrial and aviation sectors. The company operates as a platform of eight interconnected product categories: Wiper Systems (motors, arms, blades for commercial vehicles), Cables & Controls (mechanical cables, push-pull cables, gearshift cables), Braking products including REMSA brake pads and rotors, Anti-Vibration Mounts (engine mounts, rubber mounts), Sensing & Tracking (sensors, cameras, gauges), Decision Support (software-enabled control systems with IoT capabilities), Electronic Control Systems (solenoids, pressure switches, pumps), and Safety Systems (LED lights, alarms, cameras). Supporting these core products are custom engineering services including rapid prototyping, 3D printing, cable repair and manufacturing, and flexible shaft systems for remote valve operations. The company also operates an eCat electronic catalogue platform for authorised distributors. Flexible Drive combines Australian manufacturing capability with global sourcing partnerships to deliver OEM and aftermarket solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wiper Systems Heavy-duty windscreen wiper motors, arms, blades, washer pumps and washer bottles for commercial vehicles including trucks, mining vehicles, cranes, trains, trams, buses, defence vehicles, 4x4s and marine applications.
• Cables & Controls Mechanical control cables including push-pull cables, gearshift cables, brake cables, clutch cables, bonnet/hood release cables, speedometer cables and custom cable assemblies for automotive, transport, marine and industrial applications.
• Braking (REMSA) REMSA brake pads, brake rotors and brake hydraulics (master cylinders, wheel cylinders, clutch cylinders) plus brake wear sensors for passenger vehicles and commercial applications, distributed in Australia.
• Anti-Vibration Mounts Anti-vibration mounts, engine mounts, rubber mounts, conical mounts, buffers and vibration isolation systems for industrial equipment, marine, transport and defence applications, sourced from partners including Fibet (2021), Lord and Karman.
• Electronic Control Systems Solenoids, pressure switches, fuel pumps, starter motors, alternators and related electronic control components for automotive, commercial vehicle, marine, industrial and defence applications.
• Safety Systems Vehicle safety systems including LED work lights, emergency lighting, light bars, beacons, reverse alarms, vehicle cameras and display screens for commercial vehicles and industrial machinery.
• FD20 Pressure Switch Pressure switch engineered for demanding extended-duty applications and offered as a reliable, cost-effective alternative to Honeywell and Hobbs pressure switches, with a Metri-Pack connector option suitable for ABS, water pump systems, hydraulic and pneumatic circuits.
• Flexible Shaft Systems (Safe Operator & Aktivo RVO) Mechanical remote valve operating systems and flexible shaft systems including Safe Operator (up to 40 m operation without power, air, hydraulics or direct access) and Aktivo Remote Valve Operating System with 3, 4 and 6 inch stroke options and lockable controls, for safe operator isolation in hazardous environments.
• Tram Camera Monitoring System Custom camera monitoring system for trams with intelligent speed-based display activation providing real-time blind spot visibility and pedestrian awareness enhancement, developed to applicable international railway standards for Bombardier/Alstom E-class trams.
• ECCO SA901 Smart Alarm ECCO SA901 smart reverse alarm with reverse-mounted speaker design, reinforced nylon housing, ambient noise measurement with automatic 82–107 dB volume adjustment and IP64 rating for harsh fleet environments.
• LED Work Lights Range Range of LED work lights including FD-R1648-D round (48W, 3800LM, IP68), FD-LWL-R0927 round (27W, 2160LM) and FD-LWL-S0927B square variants for commercial vehicle and industrial applications.
• Custom Cable Repair & Manufacturing Service Custom cable fabrication, repair and manufacturing service covering push-pull cables, automotive cables, marine cables and industrial control cables, supported by 5,000+ individual cable components and typically delivered within 24–48 hours (up to 7 working days with interstate shipping).
• Rapid Prototyping & 3D Printing Service In-house rapid prototyping service using a Form 3+ industrial 3D printer that produces custom engineered control system components directly from CAD data to support fast concept-to-prototype development.
• eCat Electronic Catalogue Platform Electronic catalogue platform for authorised distributors featuring cross-reference searching, VIN/Rego and vehicle search functionality, side-by-side brake comparisons and streamlined ordering with pickup or delivery options, with EDI and online integration for Tier 2 ERP systems such as Sage X3.

Quantifiable outcome

• PACCAR 2024 supplier quality recognition - met 10 parts per million standard consistently over 12 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Triple 3 LogisticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2022Partnership with triple 3 logistics for scheduled delivery service from Keysborough warehouse silo. Operates Monday to Friday delivering specialised automotive and transport components to authorised resellers in SE Melbourne area.
• FibetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2021Australian distributor partnership for Fibet high-quality anti-vibration mounts and bushes products. Combining Fibet's expertise with Flexible Drive's technical support for custom-made options, standard catalogue products or combinations.
• HSV (Holden Special Vehicles)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with HSV for cable adaptation support on left-hand drive to right-hand drive vehicle conversions for imported Chevrolet Silverado and Camaro vehicles. Custom hood release cable development and rapid turnaround.
• RMIT UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2017Long-standing research partnership with RMIT University's ARC linkage grant for development of ICAS system (incident collision avoidance system). Collaboration on decision support software including AI and machine learning for control systems.
• University of AdelaidecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2017Long-standing research association with University of Adelaide for niche and emerging research fields and design-led innovation projects. Collaboration on vibration isolation and environmental control engineering.
• DogacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2017Partnership for Doga wiper products including motors, arms and blades. Additional Flexible Drive-branded windscreen wiper products in orange branded boxes.
• REMSAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2016Partnership with REMSA, Europe's leading aftermarket friction manufacturer. Distribution of REMSA ultra ceramic brake pads and hydraulics range in Australian market.
• LordminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Lord anti-vibration mounts and vibration control products.
• KarmanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of Karman vibration control products and rubber mounts.
• ECCOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution of ECCO smart alarms and reverse alarms for commercial vehicles and industrial applications.
• HoneywellminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFD20 pressure switch range positioned as reliable, cost-effective alternative to Honeywell pressure switches for Australian industrial applications.
• HobbsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFD20 pressure switch range positioned as reliable, cost-effective alternative to Hobbs pressure switches for Australian industrial and commercial vehicle applications.
• Industrial Design PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with industrial designers for agile product development. Collaboration on investigation, design, testing and refinement of control systems to bring products to market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fibet: Fibet (Italy) manufactures anti-vibration mounts, engine mounts, and rubber-metal components for automotive, industrial, and rail applications. Flexible Drive is Fibet's Australian distributor, positioning Fibet as both a partner and the closest direct peer in the vibration isolation product category.
• REMSA: REMSA is a European aftermarket brake pad, rotor and hydraulics manufacturer whose products Flexible Drive distributes across Australia. As both a partner (3,000+ REMSA part numbers in stock) and a parallel competitor in the broader automotive aftermarket, REMSA is a directly comparable peer in braking product lines.
• Cablecraft Motion: Cablecraft Motion (US) is a specialist manufacturer of mechanical control cables and push-pull cable assemblies for transportation, industrial, and aerospace applications. It is the closest global direct peer to Flexible Drive's core custom cable manufacturing capability.
• Doga: Doga (Spain) is a direct peer in wiper systems (motors, arms, blades) for commercial vehicles, industrial, rail, and marine. Flexible Drive is Doga's Australian distribution partner and sells its own Flexible Drive-branded wiper products alongside, making them both collaborator and competitor in the same product category.

Broad incumbents

• Trelleborg AB: Trelleborg is a large global engineered polymers group with a significant anti-vibration and vibration control business serving automotive, industrial, marine, and rail markets. They compete with Flexible Drive's vibration isolation product category but at much broader scale and geographic reach.
• Parker Hannifin (Lord Corporation):

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn6pnrtzAhKhUYgsvN4yS6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/flexibledrive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flexibledrive/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flexible Drive