Brambles celebrates the
150th anniversary of its founding
and 100 years as a corporate entity.
From our beginnings in regional New South Wales as a family-owned butchery and delivery business, we have grown to become a global business operating in more than 60 countries, moving more goods to more people in more places than any other organisation.
Our journey is deeply intertwined with Australia’s history, connecting countless Australians and contributing to the nation’s industrial growth and prosperity.
But our story has also been a global one, extending far beyond Australian shores.
In 1958, Brambles acquired the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool, a seminal move that would transform our business into a global player. Born from the US Army’s equipment left behind in Australia after WWII, the pooling of pallets and transport equipment laid the foundation for our global operations. This innovative model, recognised globally through our CHEP brand, set new industry standards and enabled us to grow as our outlook turned global.
Little did we know that this ‘share and reuse’ circular model would not only revolutionise the global supply chain but also make Brambles one of the most sustainable companies in the world.
As we celebrate 150 years since our humble beginnings, we look back with pride on the innovations, advancements, and partnerships that have made Brambles the business we are today.
As we celebrate 150 years since our humble beginnings, we look back with pride on the innovations,
advancements, and partnerships that have made Brambles the business we are today.
Walter Bramble begins his butchery
An 18-year-old Walter Bramble established his butchery business in Hinton, just outside Newcastle NSW.
Leading innovation at the very beginning, Bramble didn’t run a traditional butcher shop but was a ‘cut up and deliver’ butcher, which saw him transport his product by horse, cart or boat, enabling him to service incoming ships in Newcastle Harbour.
After two years in business, Bramble had saved enough to move to the rapidly growing port town of Newcastle, having recognised its potential during his many business transits.
Over time, Bramble began to expand the carrying side of his business and assist other butchers to transport their goods, which eventually included the removal of construction waste.
This expansion into transport and logistics operations would underpin the foundation of Brambles as we know it today.
Australia’s first coal export was despatched from Newcastle ports in 1799, signalling the growth of the region as a key trading hub with a booming coal industry backing it. Throughout the 1800s, the development of railways and steamships, powered by Newcastle's coal, expanded the city's reach across global trade networks.
Knaggs Nautical Almanac 1886 carried Brambles’ first advertisement – Walter Bramble’s early business venture in butchering in Newcastle.
Broken Hills Proprietary’s (BHP) first blast furnace ‘blown-in’ and steelworks officially opened in Newcastle. This marked an important development for Brambles as the company became a key transport services provider for BHP, a relationship that would grow in the subsequent decades.
Known as the Great War, the global conflict of WWI resulted in unprecedented destruction, with over 16 million deaths worldwide, and drove significant geopolitical changes. War zones hit transportation networks and international trade, with huge consequences on countless populations both directly and indirectly.
Opening of the Newcastle Steelworks, 2 May 1915
W. E. Bramble & Sons Limited was established to reflect the evolution of the organisation into transport and logistics services, as well as automotive engineering and distribution, and real estate investment. Walter Bramble had his three sons join as directors, with Walter Bramble Jr serving as the new head of the company.
Alan Bramble, with one of the first steam lorries introduced by his father who, as a pioneer in transportation was always keen to innovate
Brambles was hit hard by the Great Depression, particularly its automotive business, but emerged better than many others due to its diversified interests including considerable real estate assets.
The Great Depression devastated global economies, with Australia's unemployment soaring to 32% and plunging many into poverty. The collapse of major export markets including wool and wheat led to significant hardship, widespread strikes and lasting changes to economic policies.
The advertisement for W.E. Bramble & Sons Ltd appeared in Dawn of a New Era, a souvenir book released during Civic Week in 1929 to mark the official opening of Newcastle’s Town Hall.
At the end of WW2 the US military left behind a collection of machinery, wooden pallets and other transport assets in ports across the East Coast. The pool included 60,000 pallets and 1,000 machines - including forklift trucks and cranes. Recognising the need to improve Australia’s industrial capabilities, the Federal Government took ownership of this pool, naming it the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool (CHEP).
World War II severed established trade routes and alliances, severely disrupting global trade with wartime demands that reshaped import and export patterns. Post-war recovery efforts fostered trade liberalisation, laying the foundation for modern global commerce.
Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool Building, Wattle Street Ultimo
Source: City of Sydney Archives.
On 24 March 1954, W E Bramble & Sons became a publicly listed company, under the leadership of Chair, Harry Wheeler, and Managing Director, Thomas MacBride Price, DFC.
1954 also marked Brambles’ first expansion beyond Newcastle, when it established a subsidiary operation in Port Kembla, Wollongong. Brambles already serviced BHP’s steelworks operations in Newcastle, and W.E. Bramble & Sons (Wollongong) formed to support the steelmaker in Port Kembla through transport and industrial services.
Brambles Transport was launched, extending the company’s services interstate to transport 100,000 tonnes of steel from Port Kembla to Melbourne – and eventually to South Australia and Western Australia in support of their key customer.
W. E. Bramble & Sons, as first share certificate from 1955 shows, had authorised capital of £500,000
The newly renamed Brambles Industries Limited acquired the Commonwealth Handling Pool Equipment (CHEP) from the Australian government in 1958.
In 1958, Brambles bid to purchase the pool. Interestingly, it was not the pallets that drove the decision to purchase the pools but rather the cranes and forklifts. The pallets were a bonus; however, they inevitably shaped Brambles’ contribution to the circular economy.
In April they successfully purchased the pool, a move that would set the direction for the company for the next 60 years and beyond.
Post-World War II, rising incomes, suburbanisation, mass production and media influence fuelled a rise in household consumption. Purchases moved to luxury items and discretionary spending to keep up with trends. Global trade expanded as advancements in transportation allowed for greater interconnection, assisted further by the reduction of political trade barriers.
Brambles quickly gained a reputation as a force in earthmoving – only strengthened by acquiring the NSW leader in rock excavation, A. Bradshaw (Excavations) Pty Ltd. Brambles was at the heart of the Sydney’s building boom with most Sydney streets carrying signs promoting ‘Excavations by Brambles’. The company cleared countless old buildings to make way for towering skyscrapers that formed today’s city skyline.
The 1960s heralded the start of a modern Australia, one that was increasingly global and buoyed by prosperity. Accompanying its development-led boom and rapidly growing population was the emergence of industrial powerhouses that would play a pivotal role supporting the nation’s increasing need for construction, manufacturing and resources.
Warringah Freeway
Brambles established its first major overseas operation with CHEP UK on 1 April 1975, following a successful expansion into New Zealand in 1974. The expansion was driven largely by Oliver Richter, who joined Brambles in 1965 as Commercial Manager.
At the 1972 World Pallet Congress, he remarked that the pooling system was the “most efficient and economical method for the manufacture and distribution of the worlds production” and set his sights on expanding internationally.
18 months after its launch, the CHEP UK pallet pool served 165 customers operating with 500,000 pallets. Beating predictions, CHEP UK broke even in just two years.
The future of commerce continues to move into mass production and supply. As grocery stores began to supplement the humble corner store, there was increasing demand for centralised, large-volume warehouse of goods. Enter mass merchandising, with unitisation, containerisation, palletisation, standardised warehouse racking and standardised packaging following suit.
Source: Materials Handling News, 1975, United Kingdom
After establishing operations in the UK, Brambles continued to expand across the globe. CHEP Europe was established in 1978, with CHEP pallet pooling systems then launching in South Africa, Canada, and France in the following years.
The expansion did not come without challenges as macroeconomics factors put pressure on all industries, and complex regulations and socio-political issues required expert navigation. With each new market entry new local competition, market needs and appropriate resourcing needed to be understood and managed.
Brambles was undeterred by these challenges, seeing the opportunity to grow business, enhance market resilience and deliver best outcomes for customers.
The Oil Crises of ’73 and ‘79 punctured an era of steady growth and led to a period of significant global economic instability, highlighting the world's reliance on imported oil for both industries and day-to-day modern living.
At the same time Australia's manufacturing sector was in decline, triggered by increased competition from newly industrialised nations, rising wage costs and tariff reductions. The sector lost approximately 80,000 jobs during this period, reflecting a broader shift in the economy towards other industries including services like hospitality, retail trade and financial services.
CHEP USA was established on September 1990. Expanding into this market had been a long process for Brambles. Even as CHEP UK was being established in 1976, Oliver Richter had an eye on America. While the opportunities of pallet pooling in the US were clear early on, concerns remained around market entrance timing.
Having kept a close watch on the market in the intervening years, Brambles tested the opportunity with the purchase of a US pallet repair business, establishing important contacts for when the time came.
With more experience, people and resources, they overcame the entrenched belief that a national pallet pool was impossible in the US market. Brambles ultimately launched their pallet pool in 1990 for US$100 million. Once again Brambles led the way in innovating to grow their business and support customers globally.
Globalisation accelerated significantly in the 1990s, driven by the rise of free-market policies. This decade saw the expansion of international trade, the integration of emerging economies like China into the global market, and advancements in technology that reduced communication and transportation barriers for global supply chains.
By the mid-90s, e-commerce had gained significant momentum with the launch of platforms like Amazon and eBay, which revolutionised online shopping. This marked the beginning of a new era in retail, enabling businesses and consumers to engage in digital transactions on a global scale.
Brambles established BXB Digital, as a solution to boost visibility, sustainability and customer satisfaction. We combine innovative tracking technology with CHEP’s unparalleled scale and expertise in reusable assets.
By adding this new digital offering, Brambles continued to innovate, seeing the next step to deliver customer benefit by ensuring their goods are transported more safely, efficiently and sustainably.
The decade saw significant geopolitical shifts with the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election. While global trade faced challenges due to economic uncertainties, digital globalisation grew significantly, A rapid rise in available data, streaming services and the expansion of connected devices through the "Internet of Things," highlighted the unprecedented way technology was evolving and reshaping industries and daily life.
Global supply chains saw unprecedented disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, with nations bracing through lockdowns. Brambles worked collaboratively with customers, retailers and manufacturers as they expanded their inventories to address heightened consumer demand and volatile supply chains, disrupting the usual flow of pallets. Through increased investment in the pallet pool and collaboration with customers, partners and governments, Brambles focused on improving asset recovery and productivity to keep essential items moving through the global supply chain.
At the same time, Brambles achieved its goal of 100% sustainable timber sources in line with its zero-deforestation commitment.
The pandemic caused a sharp decline in global trade with lockdowns disrupting supply chains. The crisis highlighted vulnerabilities in international trade systems and prompted efforts to enhance resilience, diversify supply chains and accelerate digital transformation for greater efficiency and inventory management.
In 2025, Brambles celebrates the 150th anniversary of its founding and a century as a corporate entity.
We have grown to become a global network connecting partners, manufacturers, retailers and consumers across 60 countries through our CHEP operations, moving more goods to more people in more places than any other organisation.
From humble origins, we have been led by a spirit of innovation and determination since the very first day, Today, Brambles continues to lead from the front, investing in capabilities, and developing technologies, digital solutions and partnerships that will help deliver advance the global supply network.
Hear captivating stories from Brambles’ rich
150-year history.
Brambles’ founding father: Walter Bramble
The company known today as Brambles owes both its name and inception to Walter Bramble.
A moment in history
CHEP pallets were under an unusual load this day, supporting the mast of Australia II during transit. The yacht would compete – and ultimately win – the 1983 America's Cup, creating one of the most iconic moments in Australian history.
Our Motto - Keep Moving
What began as a simple motto has since evolved into a catchcry for our spirit of innovation and desire to keep pace with shifting trends.
Oliver Richter: The Pallet Pool Pioneer
Oliver Richter helped reshape global supply chains into something smarter, more efficient, and inherently sustainable.
