Pickles History
For more than 60 years, Pickles has built its reputation on trust, transparency and integrity. These principles guide how we work with our customers, partners and communities, and underpin our continued pursuit of excellence.
Early foundations
1964: Pickles is founded as a Stock and Station Agent in Moree, NSW by Peter Pickles.
1973: Relocated to Sydney to conduct antique, fine arts and damaged vehicle auctions.
1977: 2nd branch opened; an auction facility established at Islington, Newcastle.
1982: 1st vehicle auctioned, with motor vehicle auctions conducted in Sydney.
Pickles expands
1985: Pickles expands inventory to include truck, earthmoving and plant auctions in Sydney.
1988: 1st acquisition completed, with Crealys Auctions acquired and Belmore’s auction facility opened.
1993: Pickles continues to grow, establishing a Canberra auction facility.
1995: Major acquisition of airport auctions in Sydney secured.
Business evolution
1996: Pickles.com.au is officially launched.
1997: Rapid growth sees Auto Salvage Auctions in Adelaide acquired.
1998: Establishment of Tasmania, Queensland, Hobart and Brisbane auction facilities.
1999: New Managing Director appointed – Tim Pickles. DASFLEET (Commonwealth Government) auction business acquired in South Australia.
2000: Pickles Advanced Information Reporting System (PAIRS) and ‘Fixed Price’ selling is launched. Townsville branch commences operation.
A household name
2001: Acquired Auto Group's damaged vehicle operations and established both an industrial auction facility in Brisbane and an auction facility in Perth.
2002: Remote bidding is introduced and E-Salvage emerges as a dedicated digital platform to auction accident-damaged, storm-affected, or written-off vehicles directly from partner sites.
2003: Further expansion in Northern Territory and New South Wales, with new facilities introduced in Darwin, Alice Springs, Newcastle and Dubbo.
2004: New vehicle auction facility opened Balcatta, Perth.
2006: Salvage vehicle facility at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane opened, PVT Transport launched and PDAs are introduced for motor vehicles.
2007: Tamworth secures a branch through Rundles Auctions acquisition.
2008: New auction facility opened in Sunshine, Melbourne.
Digital transformation
2009: PicklesLIVE achieves 100,000 vehicles sold milestone.
2010: Record high achieved with over 25,000 storm affected vehicles sold in Melbourne & Perth.
2013: Tim Pickles is appointed as Executive Chairman.
2014: Bruce Maclennan appointed as Chief Executive Officer; Netresult mobility shareholding acquired.
2015: Western Australia supersite opened in Bibra Lake, housing all three product lines.
2016: Rundles Auctions acquired in Wagga Wagga; Rockhampton (QLD) auction facility opened.
2017: Pickles Asia is opened in Malaysia, establishing its regional Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Technology and Transformation.
2017: Altona North (VIC) opens, Pickles Ventures is launched, CarZapp is acquired and the business invests in Iungo.
2018: Hassalls Auctions acquired and Pickles Ventures website is launched.
2019: Pickles Mining and Pickles Oil & Gas launched to offer asset valuation and disposal services for the mining, construction, civil and industrial sectors.
A new era
2022: Pickles enters into an agreement to sell a majority share of its business to funds advised by Apax Partners LLP, a global private equity firm.
2022: Pickles’ organisational structure undergoes enhancement with new systems launched in PAIRS & PAS2.
2025: AssessVal is launched, introducing a new digital valuation system. Sydney’s Spring Farm location opens to house industrial and heavy motor salvage assets.
2026: Melbourne’s Tullamarine expands across two sites, supporting motor bikes, caravans, trucks & machinery.