Celebrating 45 Years of ARK Corporation: A Legacy of Excellence

By: Gary Date: 12 April 2023

In the vast landscape of Australian manufacturing and innovation, ARK Corporation stands as a shining beacon of excellence, resilience, and dedication. For four decades, we’ve been at the forefront of the industry, consistently delivering top-quality trailer parts, towing equipment, and 4WD accessories. 

Founded by Richard Arakelian, a fitter and turner with a keen eye for innovation, ARK Corp has evolved from humble beginnings into an industry leader with an inventory that boasts over 800 different trailer parts and accessories. 

From the rugged and dependable XO Series jockey wheels and couplings to the pioneering ARK Pak portable power system, the ARK name has become synonymous with trust and reliability in the world of 4WD, camping, and trailers.

Join us in celebrating our incredible 45th anniversary by taking a little stroll (or drive!) down memory lane.

A Journey through Time: ARK Corporation’s 45-Year Story

It all began in 1978 when Richard Arakelian saw a need and demand in Australia for high-quality tow balls. Armed with little more than a vision and his fitter and turner skills, he set up shop in his garage, meticulously machining towballs.

Richard’s determination was unwavering. He would load these towballs into his station wagon, driving from one workshop to another, and sell them from the back of his car. As demand for his products grew, so did his ambitions.

Richard expanded his workshop with cutting-edge machinery to streamline production, yet the demand continued to outgrow his setup. This led him on a quest for manufacturing partners overseas.

Richard provided them with his machinery and shared his original designs for towballs. Since that fateful decision, these partners have been producing towballs for ARK, staying true to Richard’s vision.

From towballs, Richard ventured into the world of trailer lighting, and it was from there that ARK’s journey into excellence truly took off. The growth was exponential, culminating in a vast catalogue of parts and accessories that we have today.

Unveiling Success: ARK Corporation’s Milestones and Achievements

The ARK Corporation legacy is adorned with numerous milestones and accolades. As a tight-knit team, we’re all so proud of the achievements we’ve made, whether larger product launches or smaller (yet just as important) customer success stories. 

Check out some of our favourite highlights from the past several decades:

The Birth of the Off-Road Jockey Wheel

In June of 2014, ARK Corporation filed a patent for the first-ever off-road jockey wheel. The XO Series jockey wheels born from this innovation have since become an industry standard for all off-road trailers and campers, setting new benchmarks for durability and performance.

Revolutionising Portable Power

In July 2011, ARK Corporation filed a patent for a groundbreaking product – a battery box with an inbuilt DC-DC charger and a removable battery. This innovation paved the way for the iconic ARK Pak, a portable power system that has become an essential companion for adventurers, offering unrivalled convenience and reliability.

Global Recognition at SEMA

At ARK Corporation, we’re thrilled that our commitment to innovation has earned international acclaim. The company won a SEMA Global Media Award in 2009 for the Powerpack, followed by another in 2011 for the Arkpak. 
In 2022, ARK once again received the SEMA Global Media award, this time for the XO Tech Power Distribution Hub, solidifying our reputation as a global leader in innovation.

Honouring our Customers: The Key to ARK Corp’s Triumph

At the heart of ARK Corporation’s enduring success lies a dedicated team that shares a passion for the outdoor lifestyle. Whether it’s camping, 4WDing, hunting, fishing, or boating, our team members live and breathe the very experiences that ARK Corp’s products enhance. 

This unique insight also allows us to design and manufacture products that stand up to the harshest Australian conditions and simplify the lives of fellow adventurers.

However, our success wouldn’t be complete without the unwavering support and trust of our customers. Our team of dedicated sales representatives regularly visits trade customers, forging strong relationships and gathering invaluable feedback.

This feedback loop, along with ARK Corp being 100% Australian-owned and operated, instills confidence in our loyal customers, who know they are purchasing from a brand that truly understands their needs.

Our commitment to quality extends to every product in the ARK catalogue. The team personally tests every new product before it goes into full production, subjecting them to rigorous tests – something we’re not too upset about when it means traversing the best off-roading and 4×4 tracks in Australia!

These adventures are not just trials, though; they’re opportunities for us to demonstrate our products’ reliability and durability. Customers often follow these adventures with enthusiasm, knowing that our dedication to quality and performance is unwavering.

Looking Ahead: ARK Corporation’s Vision for the Future

As ARK Corporation celebrates 45 years of excellence, the company is not resting on its laurels. Instead, we’re constantly looking to the future, exploring opportunities to expand our product range and advance our technologies even further.

Weekly meetings with the engineering team focus on developing not only the 12V range but also trailer parts. This ongoing commitment to innovation ensures that ARK remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering products that genuinely improve customers’ off-road and towing experiences.

It’s plain that ARK Corporation’s remarkable journey from a garage-based operation to an industry leader is a testament to innovation, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As we look ahead to the future, our commitment to serving the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers remains stronger than ever. 

With a legacy built on quality, innovation and a deep understanding of the outdoor lifestyle, ARK Corporation is poised to continue leading the way for the next 45 years and beyond. Happy 45th anniversary, ARK!