Milestones

1980
ARB founded by Chairman, Alan R Burke, operating from a shipping container in Richards Bay, with a single employee and a bakkie.
1981
Alan moved the operations from the shipping container and opened the doors to the Richards Bay branch.
1988
ARB opened a branch in Durban
2000
The Pietermaritzburg operation was acquired.
2001
ARB relocated its head office to a new 23 500m² site in Prospecton, effectively expanding the facility six-fold.
2002
ARB established a branch in Johannesburg.
2003
ARB established a branch in Cape Town.
2004
ARB expanded its national footprint by opening a branch in East London.
2005
ARB sold a 26% stake in its key operating subsidiary, ARB Electrical Wholesalers, to Batsomi Power to enhance its empowerment status.
2006
The Johannesburg branch relocated to a newly built 13 000m² premises in Alrode as the base for servicing neighbouring regions across both provincial and international borders.
2007
ARB acquired the operations of Xact Business Solutions to ensure the redevelopment of ARB's ERP software solution.
ARB listed on the "Main Board" of the JSE.
2008
Entered Mpumalanga through the opening of the Nelspruit branch.
2009
ARB relocated the Cape Town branch to a newly developed 7 300m² premises in Montague Gardens.
2010
ARB entered Limpopo through the opening of a branch in Polokwane.
ARB acquired Paragon Electrical, a leading electrical wholesaler operating in the Pretoria and Centurion areas.
2012
ARB acquired a 60% controlling interest in Eurolux, a leading importer and distributor of light fittings, lamps and ancillary electrical products in January.
The acquisition of 100% of Industrial Cable Suppliers, with branches in central Johannesburg and Rustenburg, was completed in July.
ARB signed exclusive distribution agreements with CTC Global and Fushi Copperweld.
2013
ARB acquired 100% of Elektro Vroomen, with branches in Bloemfontein and Kathu. Following this acquisition, ARB is represented in all nine provinces in South Africa.
CED was incorporated to house the exclusive CHINT distribution agreement.
Nexans Olex exclusive distribution agreement signed for certain specialised cable products.
2014
ARB enters into 5 year exclusive agreement on Fushi Copperweld and moves to a new purpose built branch in Nelspruit.
2015
Rustenburg and Bloemfontein branches relocate to new premises.
2016
Two new Connect branches are opened in Silver Lakes and Dieprivier and the Reuven branch is moved to Meadowdale. Eurolux modernises its Cape Town show room and launches the Crabtree retail Joint Venture.
2018
60% of CraigCor Distribution company is acquired and a property is purchased in Lords View (Midrand) on which to build a Distribution Centre. The ARB Pinetown and Port Elizabeth branches are opened and East London moves to our newly built premise in Bowles Road. Eurolux launches the Euro Nouveau upper end lighting range and tools up for the new cable and moulded plug range.
2019
Eurolux acquires The Radiant Group for R96m and commences rationalisation of the two businesses. ARB builds and takes occupation of the R145m DC in Lords View. The ARB Pinetown Branch is closed. The Meadowdale branch is moved to Edenvale.