Company History
Unidrive Pty. Ltd. represents the merging of three companies of the Repco automotive group, with a history dating back to 1950. Since then, we have grown and developed opportunities in the mining, transport, agricultural and civil construction industries, as well as the Australian motor vehicle.
Repco Universal Joints Pty. Ltd. was created in 1950, and, with a license from Borg-Warner to make universal joints, by 1952 was delivering propshafts to General Motors-Holden, a relationship which continues to this day.
1951 saw Hardy Spicer (Australia) commence making universal joint kits and components for agricultural applications. During this period, Repco formed links with the centuries-old Kirkstall Forge Ltd., of Leeds, creating a joint venture company, Kirkstall-Repco Ltd. The purpose of the new company was to establish a state-of-the-art forging and machining facility to service the burgeoning heavy transport sector of the Australian market. In 1951, a parcel of 34 acres of land was purchased in the suburb of Clayton, Unidrive’s present location, and building works commenced soon after. The new plant was operational by 1953.
Hardy Spicer (Aust.) was acquired by Repco in 1954, thereby gaining rights to make the Spicer range of universal joints. By 1963 Repco had bought the interests of its forging partner, Kirkstall, and were supplying the local car companies with components from the Clayton plant. Products were also being provided to the agricultural, earthmoving and road building industries. Hardy Spicer had reached the capacity of its Burwood factory when it was relocated to Clayton in 1964. The name of the plant became Repco Forge Co.
In 1983, the name Repco Universal Drivelines was registered, representing a union of three subsidiaries, Hardy Spicer (Aust.) Co., Repco Universal Joints Co., and Repco Forge Co. All companies operating from the Clayton site. Hardy Spicer became a division of Repco Universal Joints, changing its name to Repco Universal Drivelines.
The era of manufacturing ended for Repco in 1987 when Repco Corporation sold its driveshaft manufacturing division to BTR subsidiary Borg Warner (Australia) Ltd.
Finally, in 1988, Unidrive Pty. Ltd. came into existence as a joint venture operation when British engineering giant GKN Industries plc and NTN Toyo Bearings Co. Ltd. of Japan acquired 30% and 20% respectively of the BTR shareholding. BTR sold its Unidrive interest in 2000, leaving GKN with 60% and NTN 40% equity in the company.
Today, with the support of GKN and NTN, Unidrive continues to design, manufacture and supply driveline equipment to automotive manufacturers, both in Australia, and overseas.