Our story

reece logo
From its founding over 100 years ago, Reece has grown to become a global leader in the supply of plumbing, waterworks and HVAC-R products, in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The Reece journey

Reliable products and superior service have shaped the blueprint for the Reece Group and continue to be what we are known for.

In 1920, H.J. Reece began selling quality hardware supplies from the back of his truck in Victoria, Australia. Later that year, he opened the first Reece store in Caulfield, Victoria as the home of exceptional tools and expert advice.

Our now Executive Director, Alan Wilson joined Reece and led the business forward to become Australia’s largest plumbing hardware distribution business.

Today, our global network supports the plumbing, bathroom, building, civil, pools and irrigation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection and refrigeration industries.

Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (REH), Reece employs over 9,000 people and operates over 800 branches which offer a range of exclusive and leading brands to trade and residential customers.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Reece’s network spans Australia, New Zealand and the United States. We employ people in hundreds of different roles across our multiple business units, including: operations, engineering, product quality, marketing, software engineering, logistics, and school-based traineeships.

Reece at a glance

Founded
1920
Growth & Leadership
100+ yrs
Team Members
9,000+
Nationwide footprint
1997
Entered New Zealand
2006
Entered USA
2018

Explore our key milestones

Moments that have shaped us into the global business we are today.
1920
HJ reece

We're built on strong foundations.

In 1920, H.J. Reece started out by selling quality hardware supplies from the back of his truck in Victoria, Australia. Later that year, he opened the first Reece store in Caulfield, as the home of exceptional tools and expert advice. Coincidentally, on the other side of the world, three Texans had a similar vision of supplying plumbers with everything they needed to carry out essential work.

Solid foundations of reliable products and superior service shaped the blueprint for the Reece Group, which today spans Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

1969

We secured our future with a small step.

Since joining Reece, the Wilson family name has become synonymous with our way of doing business.

In 1969, the same day that humans first stepped onto the moon, the Wilson family became majority shareholders. They committed to leading the Reece business to long-term success, with our customers, and our people, placed firmly at the centre of our business.

Pictured L to R - Alan Wilson, Executive Director and Peter Wilson, Reece Group CEO

1986

We brought bathrooms to life.

We introduced complete bathroom and kitchen displays to our stores in 1986, a first for Australian showrooms.

Now, we give our customers the opportunity to create better bathrooms with our exclusive quality products via interactive displays, virtual tools and in-store advice.

1990
max

We embrace technology.

The Reece System, our one-stop shop for data that allows our people to deliver on our customer promise, was introduced in 1990. Known as TRS, this system has continued to evolve and remains the backbone of our business.

Today, it is complemented by a suite of digital tools and platforms that make our customers' lives easier. One of our newest tech innovations is the maX app, which lets customers order and track goods wherever they are.

1993

We never stop learning, teaching and growing.

We cemented our culture of continuous improvement and opened our first training centre, equipping our people with the capabilities they need to help improve the way we do things.

Fast forward to 2020 when we launched our first digital blended learning platform, LXP, which helps our people achieve greatness by learning when, where and how they want.

2006

We made our way across the ditch.

In the same year Reece became a $1 billion business, we expanded our operations to New Zealand with the acquisition of LG Carder.

Today, Reece has grown into one of New Zealand's leading distributors for plumbing, bathroom and HVAC-R products. We're proud to support both commercial and residential customers out of 38 branches and showrooms across both the North and South Island.

2014

We keep summers cool and winters warm.

In 2014, we moved beyond plumbing, welcoming Actrol and Metalflex to the business. This saw us create new strategic business units, supporting the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration industry for the first time.

Today, the HVAC-R network stretches across more than 100 branches across Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in the United States.

2017

We build it big.

In 2017, we expanded our waterworks business with the acquisition of Viadux.

As Australia’s largest local distributor and solutions provider, we capitalise on our end-to-end model, market-leading products and technical expertise to collaborate with future-focused partners to deliver major infrastructure projects.

2018

We’re committed to building a solid growth platform.

In 2018, we acquired MORSCO to create a platform for future growth, and bring the same customised service to the growing Sun Belt region of the US.

At the start of 2022, after three years of learning and growing together, Reece and MORSCO made the decision to retire the MORSCO brand and launch Reece USA, a symbolic step forward in our shared pursuit to be the most valued partner of our customers.

2022

We have a long-term vision for success.

In March 2022, we officially moved into The Works – our new headquarters. A symbolic step forward for the business as we work towards achieving our 2030 strategy.

We also launched the Reece Foundation, an independent charity dedicated to partnering with the trade to bring clean water and sanitation to those who need it most.

2023
reece bandk

We are one Reece.

After four years of hard work, our California stores are now trading under the Reece brand and we have opened our first Reece Bath+Kitchen in Houston, Texas. We have listened to our customers, raised standards and refreshed our proposition to deliver a customised service offering that suits the local market and truly reflects what the 100 year old Reece brand stands for.

We aren’t stopping here – over the next few years more states in the US will roll on to the Reece brand as we establish our footprint and start to show customers what we can do for them.