The
Flexovit brand was introduced into Australia by a small
Family company founded in 1972.
The
company, Durable Abrasives Pty Ltd started as a specialist
abrasive importer, the major product being reinforced cutting
off and depressed centre grinding wheels imported from Flexovit
Holland.
Due
to the rapid expansion of the Flexovit product range, Durable
Abrasives Pty Ltd changed its name to Flexovit Abrasives
Australia Pty Ltd. This change occured in 1974.
In
order to further grow Flexovit in Australia in 1977 Flexovit
Holland purchased a 50% interest in Flexovit Australia.
In
the late 1970's sales offices and warehouses were established
in Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane and supported by
the Melbourne Head Office.
The
important date in the growth of Flexovit occurred in 1978.
A commitment was made to establish a reinforced products
manufacturing plant in Melbourne using the latest fully
automated plant developed by Flexovit Holland.
The
establishment of this plant provided Flexovit Australia
with a platform to become Australia's leading abrasives
company.
In
1987 Flexovit Australia became a wholly owned subsidiary
of Flexovit International when it was decided to list as
a public company on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
In
1990 Flexovit Australia acquired a 100% interest in Carborundum
Abrasives, a leading manufacturer of Coated Abrasives.
In
1998 Flexovit International being listed on the Amsterdam
Stock Exchange received a take over offer from Saint Gobain,
France, a world leader in the manufacturing of engineered
materials.
In
January 2000 a new company, Saint Gobain Australia Pty Ltd
was formed to take over Flexovit Australia. Flexovit Australia
now operates as a Division of Saint Gobain Abrasives Australia
Pty Ltd.