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Our story
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, the United States and New Zealand.
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 the state of Victoria, Australia. Later that year, he opened the first Reece store in the suburb of Caulfield, in Melbourne, Australia, 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, Australia, 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
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.
1926
We cross state lines.
Having won the hearts of Texan plumbers, our team set out to bring our tools and advice to pros across state lines. Morrison quickly grew into the strongest independent plumbing supply company in the southwest, expanding into more than 70 locations. Today, we operate over 200 locations across the Sun Belt.
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
1990
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.
2011
We grow with purpose.
In 2011, we embarked on a new phase of expansion and Morrison changed its name to MORSCO, Morrison’s nickname, to ground us as we kicked off a phase of rapid growth. Our expansion kicked into high gear in 2012 with a focus on acquiring local, well-established, family-owned brands in the plumbing industry. First Express Pipe & Supply was acquired in 2012, then Farnsworth Wholesale Company in 2013. These acquisitions extended MORSCO’s reach further West, with locations in California and Arizona.
More expansion followed: Wholesale Specialties in Colorado in 2014; Murray Supply in the Carolinas in 2015; DeVore & Johnson in the Atlanta area in 2016; and Todd Pipe & Supply in California.
2014
We see bathrooms differently.
In 2014, we began displaying our products as complete bathroom displays, to give customers the opportunity to experience our range of luxurious bathroom products in their natural setting.
Today, you can find our products in many American bathroom, thanks to our network of inspirational showrooms.
2016
We expand our expertise so we can deliver more.
As we began to grow the business, we saw an opportunity to bring our local expertise to new categories - Waterworks, and HVAC - giving our customers confidence we can service their every need, no matter the job.
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 are a global business with a local spirit.
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.
2023
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, uplifted 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.
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