About Us
40+
Over 40 years in the
market
Who We Are.
We specialize in the import and wholesale of aftermarket spare parts and accessories.
We provide a range of specialised products and expertise for our clients’ specific needs including Tools & Hardware; Camping Outdoor Lifestyle Equipment and Accessories to Marine Spares & Accessories.
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Since 1983, ASC is an established leader in the aftermarket, automotive spares & accessories industry. We supply a wide range of quality aftermarket products at competitive prices, including everything from Automotive Spares & Accessories; Tools & Hardware; Camping Outdoor Lifestyle Equipment and Accessories to Marine Spares & Accessories. Conveniently situated in 7,000 sqm premises in Briardene, Durban, we have become one of the most highly respected wholesale companies in Southern Africa. ASC has a client base that has a reach that extends as far as sub Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean islands.
Why Choose Us.
Reasons to cooperate with us
Our Vision
To be an industry leader in the after market motor-spares and in providing superior customer service.
01
Our Mission
We provide our clients with an easy, efficient and quality service that builds long term relationships.
02
Our Ethics
ASC is devoted to maintaining the highest ethical standards, striving to be one of the leaders in our industry, providing high quality products and efficient service.
03
Our Experience
Our industry knowledge backed by financial strength enables us to leverage substantial buying power.
04
Affordable Pricing
Our industry knowledge and financial strength provides substantial buying power to source quality products on an ongoing basis at competitive prices. We strive to continually evolve and ensure competitive and sustainable wholesale pricing to our resellers.
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Delivery
Place an order with us before 15:00 Monday – Friday and we will have your order ready and delivered to you within 3 working days.
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Accessible Sales Team
Our friendly, expert staff are always ready to assist you.
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Superior Customer Service
Operating from a central location, superior customer service is our main objective.
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Our Company History
The Accessories Spares Centre Story and Future
Accessories Spares Centre was established in 1982, and shortly thereafter started operating out of warehouse premises in Bay Terrace, Durban. In 2008 the business was moved to a new purpose-built warehouse in Briardene, Durban North, where they still operate and distribute nationally, today.
In 2015, ASC concluded a private equity deal with RMB Corvest, which strategically allowed its founder, John Rowan, to formulate an exit plan after years of dedicated effort in growing ASC into the business it was and still is today.
In 2022 the ASC group has a physical presence in 3 major metropoles in South Africa and employs more than 130 people with an average of more than 11 years employment in the group.
ASC imports and warehouses over 12000 SKU’s, which form part of the 4 pillars of the business. Automotive spares and accessories, hardware, outdoor and lifestyle equipment, and of course, the well-established marine division.
ASC has enjoyed positive growth year after year and celebrated a record financial year right after the Covid-19 pandemic and worldwide lockdowns. When asked how this was achieved, Managing Director, Ashley Chaffey, accredited a large part of their success in not cancelling orders during the lockdown periods and after the economy re-opened, investing heavily in the right products
ASC visits all overseas suppliers and trade shows 3 to 4 times a year. The purpose of this interaction with suppliers, both established and new, is to understand market trends and product development. These efforts are to ensure ASC is at the forefront of the latest and best priced, quality products within the depth and breadth of their range, to satisfy the needs of all of their customers.
ASC is able to leverage off purchasing power and long-term relationships with suppliers, some in excess of 35 years. “Our 40-year history, financial strength, flexibility and the trust relationships we have built over a long period of time with our suppliers is for the benefit of all our customers in the various markets we supply and service”, said Chaffey.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges and global shipping crisis, ASC communicated with their suppliers and service providers on a daily basis, in order to ensure a seamless supply of products to customers.
ASC are continuing to source alternate suppliers to ensure competitive quality products are available to their markets on an ongoing basis.
Brand expansion and brand awareness has been a key focus for ASC over many years. It is very important that customers associate quality and competitively priced products with a recognizable brand such as ASC.
The product knowledge and years of combined experience in the industry has served to cement customer relationships and the ASC brands in Southern Africa.
The ASC Marine division has been operating successfully for many years and sells affordable high quality, branded products to the trade for leisure and commercial boating and boat builders. The experience in this industry is what makes ASC a market leader in marine products.
Together with a major shareholder, ASC’s strategy has always been to grow the business and the national footprint (and thereby market share) organically, through acquisitions, or by establishing a physical presence in other provinces in South Africa.
The advantage of having an equity partner like RMB Corvest (a private equity company and a division of a major banking institution) is that they promote acquisitive growth. This means that ASC are always on the hunt for a “bolt-on deal” that can strengthen their position in the market and enhance organic growth and brand awareness in specific geographical locations in Southern Africa.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, ASC acquired the business of Auto Trade Supplies in Cape Town. There are more exciting things yet to come for ASC, so they invite you to “watch this space”.
“The automotive aftermarket and marine market are an exciting place to do business”, said Chaffey. “Our purpose is to supply quality products to the trade at a competitive price. We want to ensure that the consumer, especially in these times, can buy product that is affordable and quality guaranteed!”.
“We believe the key to our success to date, has been our loyal and dedicated employees, our firmly committed suppliers, both local and overseas, and our loyal and committed customers. We thank you all for you part in the ASC success story”, said Chaffey.