Reducing our emissions
May 2022
Flexible Drive added another Jungheinrich forklift to its fleet to improve our lifting, stacking, towing and shuttling capabilities of our control systems products in our head office warehouse and manufacturing facility. This now completes our all-electric materials handling equipment providing lower emissions and improved safety features for our warehouse team.
3D industrial printing
March 2022
As part of continuous improvement in our technical services division Flexible Drive welcomes the Form 3+ additive printer complimenting our existing 3D capability. Although smaller in footprint this machine allows us to quickly go from design to finished part (such as creating dies for injection molding prototypes) using a wide range of functional resin with the streamlined, end-to-end workflow.
Our mission
January 2022
For some, a company mission is just a series of words given little focus by the organisation. To us, our mission is a statement we're proud to display on our wall for everyone to see. Why? Because we believe in it. At Flexible Drive, we are driven to execute our mission to be the catalyst for change in a large, traditional industry. It's the why we do what we do each and every day.
A capability injection
October 2021
Most of our customers are aware small plastic components are a feature of many of the mechanical cables Flexible Drive manufactures. This month's installation of our new injection molding machine adds to the manufacturing capabilities we are renowned for. This equipment is now producing components used in the manufacture of cables for vehicle conversions of left-hand drive to right-hand drive.
We've expanded our mounts range
May 2021
Flexible Drive is proud to be the Australian distributor of Fibet's high quality range of anti-vibration mounts and bushes products. Partnering with Fibet's expertise and competence makes us the ideal source for any mount requirement – whether the application needs a custom-made option, the use of standard catalogue products – or a combination of both, we will ensure you find the perfect solution.
Our packaging gets technical
March 2021
When it came to refreshing our product packaging, we wanted to retain the Flexible Drive orange well known by our customers. But now, we've added tech specs to emphasise the quality product on the inside is really as impressive as how the outside looks. Over the coming months we'll be rolling out our new packs; let us know what you think when you see it hit your shelves.
New year | Another new location
January 2021
What a great way to start 2021! We are excited to announce Flexible Drive/Cablemate has moved to a larger warehouse premises in Hobart. Our customers can now find us at 93 Cove Hill Road, Bridgewater, 7030. Call us on 1300 363 735 if you need any assistance or just pop by and say hello to David & Chris.
Happy Anniversary & Christmas
December 2020
This month we celebrate Flexible Drive's 35th Anniversary. Although the origins of our business date back to 1939, our Company has been independently owned by the same family since 1985. And while our products have evolved, one thing has stayed the same - we always put you first. Wishing our staff, customers and suppliers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May 2021 bring great things to all.
Braking & Cables eCat launch
September 2020
Flexible Drive's approved Authorised Distributors can now find and order their brake hydraulics, REMSA brake pads, auto cables and sensors in a click. Our new eCatalogue is live, featuring all braking cross-reference numbers, VIN/Rego and vehicle search, side-by-side brake comparison, and easy pick up or delivery.
Victorian business continuity
August 2020
In compliance of the Victorian Government Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions and support of our Heavy Truck Manufacturers, Defence, Public Transport, specialised machinery and equipment and Transport equipment customers our Head Office remains operational. In order to control the spread of COVID-19 and for the safety of our staff we are no longer accepting customer visits to our Victorian branch until further notice. Courier deliveries remain contactless.
Click and collect
July 2020
Flexible Drive has expanded its distribution into the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne with a new warehouse silo located in Keysborough. Conveniently located for our customers within Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs, you now have the option of collecting your braking and cable orders within 30 minutes of being placed.
New beginnings
July 2020
This month is pivotal in the long history of our Company. The last stage of our head office relocation is now complete with manufacturing operations in full production at Keilor Park. Whilst Flexible Drive has departed Kensington the origins of that location formed the foundations of our new home. This move gives us the platform to deliver better operations for our staff and an improved manufacturing capability for our Customers.
A sign of the times
June 2020
The end of one era and the start of another. We have removed the 35 year old letters that make up our name from our old building in Kensington and brought them to life via numerous coats of paint (orange of course!). Now fixed to our new head office in Keilor Park, this logo is a connection to Flexible Drive's heritage and a symbol of our Company's potential in this new location.
We've arrived in Keilor Park
May 2020
Our head office admin and sales teams have relocated to a new premises at 3 Concorde Drive, Keilor Park, Victoria. We welcome all of our customers, suppliers and business partners to drop by for a visit (there's plenty of space to maintain social distancing). And, we're not far off transitioning our old manufacturing operations to this modern, organised and efficient new environment.
Head Office warehouse
April 2020
Flexible Drive's warehouse is now fully operational in our brand new location at 3 Concorde Drive, Keilor Park, Victoria. Over the past month and in difficult operating circumstances due to COVID-19 our team has packed, shipped and reinstated our stock into its new locations. We are excited about the capability this new facility gives our business to expand operations and better serve our Customers in the years ahead.
COVID-19
March 2020
With the impact of COVID-19 on the world, Flexible Drive maintains operations in support of our valued Transportation customers who are considered 'essential services'. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, customers and supplier partners during this difficult time. We are doing all we can to provide a safe environment for everyone, so please help us to practice social distancing. We have made provisions to ensure we have sufficient stock to cover this disruption and we will continue to follow the advice of Federal and State Governments.
Head Office move
February 2020
After over 30 years of operation in the Kensington area, Flexible Drive's Victorian head office is making the move to an outstanding new premises in Keilor Park. Over the coming months we will transition our operations to a fabulous new location. This will give our business the opportunity for further growth and to establish a new warehouse logistics and manufacturing capability for the future. More to come soon.....
ISO 9001 accreditation
November 2019
Flexible Drive recently completed its annual Audit review with MSC Global to retain its international standard ISO 9001 accreditation. Our new quality recertification is valid for a further three years. As an organisation we have held this accreditation since 18th January, 1996 and are proud to have retained this certification every year since. We adopt the learnings from each audit process to apply higher standards across all business processes.
Supporting vehicle conversions
August 2019
We still manufacture all types of control cables for the transport industry but we increasingly find ourselves working with Companies who still need local engineering and manufacturing expertise. We’ve recently started a partnership with HSV to assist them with cables to adapt their imported left hand drive vehicles to right hand drive.
Wiper design in action
June 2019
Flexible Drive has a long association with Terex Australia supplying wiper systems fitted to their proudly Brisbane-built Cranes. The new AT40 Terex Crane is no exception and comes with an additional roof top wiper system. We designed a new wiper system specifically for their new flagship model to maximise vision through the curved roof window, ensuring complete control of the job, in all weather conditions.
Vic sales transformation
April 2019
At Flexible Drive we are proud of the decades of work we've undertaken with Australian OEMs in the supply of systems and components for their platforms. We've commissioned a talented artist to honour a few of our major customers in paint on the wall of our Victorian Sales office. Drop by Kensington to see the masterpiece for yourself.
Steering cable support
February 2019
Flexible Drive helps all kinds of Customers with all manner of problems. We stand for great availability, great value and being easy to deal with. And, we like to think all our Customers feel the way these guys do following the support our Hobart branch provided recently with a marine steering cable issue. Read what they said about us here.
Truck & trailer brake pads
August 2018
Remsa's heavy duty line of brake pads are designed specifically for heavy vehicles to meet all requirements. Remsa's HD range ensures safety, long life and comfort. And, now Flexible Drive offer Australian commercial vehicles the opportunity to experience Remsa for themselves.
Brisbane branch refresh
April 2018
We've refreshed the signage at our Coopers Plains branch. With an outstanding team, led by Brendan Kerr, Flexible Drive Queensland continues to expand and service our customers with more stock on shelves, to support our values of great availability, great value and being easy to deal with.
Sydney growth trains
February 2018
This month NSW welcomed the first of the new eight-car suburban Sydney Growth Trains (SGT) being delivered by Downer for the NSW Government. Flexible Drive is proud to be working on this project and look forward to the SGTs entering passenger service later in the year.
New Hawkei's deploy to the Middle East
January 2018
Australia’s new Victorian-made Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicles have been deployed into a warzone for the first time, as full production starts this year in Bendigo. Flexible Drive is proud to be involved with this project.
Solar challenge
October 2017
Our cables feature on all types of interesting vehicles. This month Flexible Drive designed a throttle cable to control the steering in a solar car which crossed the continent from Darwin to Adelaide in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Our customer said other teams and event officials were extremely interested in our push/pull cable system, as it performed flawlessly. Well done Western Sydney University placing 6th!
REMSA roadshow
August 2017
This month we hosted a braking roadshow in Sydney and Melbourne for our independent Resellers to update them on Flexible Drive's brake program. Flexible Drive's hydraulics and brake pad range continues to grow and everyone had the opportunity to discuss any questions with Javier Yaben, Engineering Coordinator of REMSA.
Energy conscious
July 2017
Flexible Drive welcomed a visit from the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment & Climate Change to discuss the ways we are implementing their energy audit to be more energy efficient; particularly in manufacturing with the aim of reducing our energy bills.
Ongoing partnership with RMIT
April 2017
Supported by an ARC linkage grant from the Federal Government, Flexible Drive has extended its technical partnership with RMIT University for a further 3 years. The project involves the development of an ICAS system (incident collision avoidance system).
Garwood Motorsport sponsorship
March 2017
We're proud to announce the sponsorship of Tassie teenage motor racing sensation, Adam Garwood of Launceston giving him a welcome boost to his campaign for success in the immensely popular Touring Car Masters Championship in 2017.
Our move into 3D printing
February 2017
Following our successful 3D print collaboration with Thinglab / Freedspace, Flexible Drive has invested in our own 3D printer to support our in-house Manufacturing as we continue to offer our customers low volume, fast turnaround components.
Tassie's new look and new manager
January 2017
We've given our Hobart branch a signage update and Flexible Drive is pleased to welcome David Howlett as Branch Manager. David brings a wealth of experience to this role and our customers will have the opportunity to meet him as he introduces our brake program to the Tasmanian market.
REMSA joins our family
October 2016
Supplementing our range of hydraulics, Flexible Drive is proud to announce its partnership with REMSA, Europe's leading aftermarket friction manufacturer. Our range of brake pads and hydraulics is constantly expanding in numbers.
Launch of hydraulics
July 2016
When it comes to hydraulics, we're the new kid on the block. Flexible Drive has been strong in cables and controls for over 70 years and a natural extension to this product category is our new hydraulics range. We're here to support the independent resellers.