An 85+ year legacy that continues to drive innovation
Alan Rushton with Sammy Capozzi
CNC machinist circa 1980s, Kensington
Flexible Drive is building for the future on foundations established more than 85 years ago.
Founded in 1939, the business began by repairing automotive instruments and mechanical control cables, including brake, speedometer, throttle, clutch, bonnet and boot release cables. These products quickly became the cornerstone of the company and laid the foundation for decades of growth.
In the mid-1980s, a management buyout led to the formation of the modern Flexible Drive under the ownership of Alan Rushton. Driven by a passion for the automotive industry, innovation and entrepreneurship, Alan shaped the strategic direction of the business and established the values that continue to guide the organisation today. His leadership earned widespread respect throughout the industry and among employees, suppliers and customers alike.
In 2014, Alan's daughter, Andrea Rushton, became Executive Director and retained majority ownership of the family business. Together with industry veteran and shareholder Kevin Holmes, Managing Director, she led a new phase of growth and transformation focused on strengthening Flexible Drive's position in OEM manufacturing, control systems, transportation technologies and the automotive aftermarket.
Following a comprehensive review of the business, the leadership team leveraged Flexible Drive's greatest strengths: long-standing customer relationships, trusted supplier partnerships, engineering expertise and Australian manufacturing capability. The result is a focused organisation serving clearly defined markets with specialised control system and transport technology solutions.
Today, Flexible Drive is recognised as one of Australia's leading designers, manufacturers and repairers of control cables and mechanical control systems. Our products range from precision medical cables and industrial control assemblies through to heavy-duty rotational shafts used in Australian naval applications. Alongside our manufacturing capabilities, we continue to expand our engineering, sourcing and product development expertise to deliver customised solutions for complex customer requirements.
With a national network of sales offices, warehouses and technical support resources, Flexible Drive serves OEMs, regulated fleets, aftermarket distributors and specialist manufacturers across Australia. Our mission remains true to Alan Rushton's original vision: to challenge convention, embrace innovation and deliver a seamless experience in the design, sourcing and supply of control systems and transport technology solutions.
More than four decades after Alan first shaped the modern business, Flexible Drive remains one of the industry's most recognised and respected brands, instantly identifiable through its distinctive orange branding and reputation for technical expertise, reliability and service.
Who we are today
Flexible Drive Head Office
Keilor Park, Victoria
Today's transport, industrial and manufacturing sectors face unprecedented demands for safety, efficiency, reliability and technological advancement. Flexible Drive continues to evolve alongside these changing requirements.
Over the decades, our expertise has expanded from mechanical systems to hydraulic technologies, electronic controls, advanced safety systems and digital solutions. We continue to invest in emerging technologies, including advanced 3D printing capabilities that enable rapid component production directly from CAD data, while also developing digital platforms that improve product search, customer support and ecommerce experiences.
While technology continues to evolve, our commitment remains unchanged. We are a proudly independent Australian manufacturer, engineering partner and distributor dedicated to helping OEMs, regulated fleets and aftermarket distributors keep equipment operating safely and efficiently.
Originally located in Flemington and later Kensington for more than 25 years, Flexible Drive relocated its head office and manufacturing operations to a modern facility in Keilor Park, Victoria, in 2020. The facility supports our Australian manufacturing, engineering and distribution operations, providing the capacity and efficiency required to serve customers throughout Australia.
We exist to support the organisations that build, maintain and supply critical equipment throughout Australia. Through superior product availability, engineering expertise, Australian manufacturing capability and long-term technical support, we help our customers solve complex challenges and create lasting value.
That commitment remains at the heart of everything we do.