• Crane Group Limited
• Website: www.crane.com.au

Industry:

Building Products

Fiscal Year-End:

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Crane Group (CRG) is a leading Australasian distributor of non-ferrous metals, manufacturer of pipeline systems (Iplex) and distributor of plumbing supplies (Tradelink).

CRG was founded in Sydney in 1867 by George Ekins Crane as a building supply firm. By the early 1900s, the company was manufacturing many of the products that it sold. In 1949, CRG was listed on the ASX and in the 1980s, undertook a major restructure of its operations. Today, the company is Australasia’s largest distributor of plumbing supplies. The aluminium arms were sold in late 2005.

CRG operates through several groups: Pipelines - the manufacture and distribution of water infrastructure, pipeline systems and supplies, pipe fittings and valves (Iplex, Milnes, KBE); Trade Distribution (which includes Tradelink - Aus and CDNZ - New Zealand) - the distribution of plumbers and electricians' supplies; and Industrial Products (which includes Metals Distribution and Crane Copper Tube, which manufacture copper tube extrusions and distribute other metal products).

CRG has a reputation as being a smart manufacturer. Although the company's products are relatively low technology, CRG has continued to develop and enhance its manufacturing capabilities. The company has with some success revamped its network distribution operations.

CRG distributes much of its manufactured product directly to construction companies and distributors and to plumbers through its own Tradelink plumbing supplies business. The company also supplies metals to a diverse range of operators in the manufacturing sector. Main competitors include Reece and Wesfarmers' Bunnings Warehouses that also provide a range of plumbing supplies.