Changing of the guard at Australia's leading torque firm

The Australian division of global torque tools specialist Norbar has appointed a new Managing Director with Matt Packer assuming control of the organisation.

Matt has taken the reins of Norbar’s Australian operations from his father Leigh Packer, who is stepping down from the role after 25 years. Leigh will continue with the company as an Executive Director and as Managing Director of the Singapore and New Zealand operations.

The key appointment coincides with Norbar’s 70th anniversary in 2012 and is the latest in a string of major announcements this year for the multi-national company.

In January, the organisation set up a new division in India, while in June its Singapore division expanded into larger premises in response to rising demand from tool distributors across South East Asia. Expansions are also currently taking place in the UK, US and China.

Having been a director of Norbar since 2006, Matt is excited to take on the top job in Australia and plans to develop the company even further.

“Norbar is already the world’s leading torque specialist so my job will be to help ensure we stay number one by continuing to expand the business in Australia, and its regional offices in Singapore and New Zealand,” said Matt, who will oversee more than 40 staff across state offices in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

“I certainly have big shoes to fill as my father has been a driving force behind the organisation for the past two and a half decades, however I’m looking forward to the challenge and am confident I can help our fantastic teams capitalise on new opportunities and achieve even stronger growth in coming years.”

Matt will be based at the company’s Australian head office in Adelaide, which is home to the firm’s NATA calibration laboratory that provides specialist testing and servicing for all Norbar products.

Norbar is a world leading specialist in the design, development and production of torque tightening and measuring equipment. With its manufacturing base in Banbury, UK, there are also Norbar divisions in China, India and the US as well as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

The company also has a worldwide network of calibration laboratories located in the UK (accredited by UKAS), Australia (NATA), the USA (NVLAP), Singapore (SAC-SINGLAS) and China (TAF).

More about Norbar Torque Tools

Norbar Torque Tools was established in Banbury, UK, in 1942 and was the first company in Britain to commercially manufacture a torque wrench.

At the time, the company’s torque wrenches were widely used by the British Air Force to accurately tighten the cylinder heads of the legendary Rolls Royce Merlin engines that powered iconic World War Two fighter planes including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

The company has since developed into an international enterprise employing 520 staff to service more than 150 distributors globally.

Importantly, Norbar remains a family-oriented organisation with descendants of founder Bill Brodey still owning and operating the UK company today.

While its group head office remains in the UK, Norbar now has offices in seven countries including the US, China, India, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore with a combined annual turnover of $A60 million. The Australian division, which was created in 1980, accounts for approximately 25% of global turnover.

For more information visit www.norbar.com. 

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Please contact Matt Packer on (08) 8292 9777

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS:
Please contact Natalie Ciccocioppo on 8412 4100 or natalie@hughespr.com.au