THE Gibbs family has sold a business in which its family has a 65-year link as listed automotive parts company Bapcor Ltd buys its six Queensland outlets.

With the Bapcor acquisition, Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts joins the conglomerate’s existing Australasian heavy transport businesses of Truckline, WANO, Diesel Drive and Diesel Distributors.

The Gibbs takeover substantially boosts Bapcor’s offering of aftermarket and original equipment truck and trailer parts and accessories for all makes and models of North American, European and Japanese commercial vehicles.

Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts has operated as a family company since 1957.

It was started by Ivan Gibbs and Bert Wilson at Labrador (now Arundel) on the Gold Coast, primarily as a truck and car wrecking yard but the business focus changed to supply customers in the trucking industry and it evolved into Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts.

The business later became owned by the Gibbs family and in 1980, was taken over by owners Chris and Paul Gibbs.

Bapcor says the buyout expands its customer service, parts availability and long-term heavy commercial vehicle expertise while increasing the Australian company’s footprint to 59 branches.

In a statement, Bapcor said the “vast customer goodwill established by this family-operated company over the past five decades will be retained along with the highly experienced and knowledgeable Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts management and team members”.

“There are many similarities between Bapcor’s Truckline business and Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts, as both Australian companies were established in the 1950s, generating outstanding brand and heavy duty commercial vehicle owner and operator business loyalty,” the company said.

“Both are also renowned in the industry for being destinations for commercial vehicle parts, equipment and accessories.”

Former proprietor of Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts, Chris Gibbs, reflected on the company’s past and present success which has led to this major new step for his family company.

“This is a very exciting step to ensure the continued growth and success of our company,” Mr Gibbs said.

“It has been in our family’s control since 1957, so the time has come to take a new direction and to let our managers that have come up through the ranks have more control in the running of the business.

“Our business has been built on strong, long term and highly valued customer relationships and this will continue into the future with the same team, but now with the support and resources of Australia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company.”

Bapcor Wholesale executive general manager Craig Magill said the acquisition was a perfect fit to increase the national footprint of Bapcor’s commercial vehicle group.

“Gibbs Truck and Trailer Parts has been committed to its commercial vehicle customers for decades, renowned across Queensland for their expertise and dedication to customer service,” he said.

“They have had a long history of organic business growth and we are pleased to welcome their management and team members to the Bapcor Group, ensuring an even stronger future ahead.”

Bapcor commercial vehicle division general manager Justin O’Brien said: “We are delighted to welcome this outstanding family business to the Bapcor commercial vehicle group, further extending our commitment to being the premier parts and equipment provider to this highly important sector of the Australian automotive aftermarket”.

This acquisition further bolsters the Bapcor commercial vehicle group’s standing as Australia’s largest trade and retail distributor of aftermarket and original equipment truck and trailer parts and accessories.

By Neil Dowling