AP Eagers (APE)

Shares / Stock Code

APE

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

A.P. Eagers (APE) is a holding company principally involved in the sale of new and used motor vehicles, the distribution of parts and accessories, and the provision of service, finance, leasing and extended warranty for motor vehicles. APE listed on the Australian stock Exchange on 25 May, 1972. Its key operations are located in the Brisbane metropolitan area of Queensland, Darwin in the Northern Territory and the Newcastle/ Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The Group employed 2,000 staff, had 2,570 shareholders and sales revenue running at $1.5billion per annum as of March 1st, 2007. The Company is organized into two business segments: automotive franchised retail and property. AP Eagers completed the acquisition of Peter Dunn Investments Pty Ltd, Peter Robinson Investments Pty Ltd and Trevor Reading Investments Pty Ltd, which collectively owned PPT Investments Pty Ltd, trading as the Kloster Group, in the Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales on February 28, 2007. APE also holds stakes in Auto Group and MTQ Insurance Services Ltd.

APE provides its investors with a direct exposure to the vehicle distribution side of Australia's automotive industry. The spread of car makes sold by the APE Group guarantees at least some diversification of the risk that one manufacturer loses market share as compared to whole market. At present the leading brands in the company’s portfolio comprises Holden, Ford and Toyota dealerships.

AP Eagers History

APE origins can be traced back to 1913 when EG Eager & Son Pty Ltd commenced operations as a Brisbane-based automotive service and retail business established by Edward Eager and his son Frederick. In the following years this operation expanded into other Queensland centres. Eagers became the distributor of General Motor's products in Queensland and Northern New South Wales after establishing the State's first motor car assembly plant.

The business was integrated in Queensland as Eagers Holdings Ltd in 1957. In November 1992, a merger with A.P. Group Ltd which owned a number of new vehicle franchises was carried out. The Company was then renamed to A.P. Eagers Limited. Since then the Company has continued to expand with the addition of further motor vehicle franchises to it.