Australian Clutch Services (ACS) was founded in 1989 as a clutch specialist and remanufacturer and was based in Torrensville, South Australia.
At this time it was known as Adelaide Clutch Services and serviced the local area for clutch components and rebuilds.
Fast forward over 30 years and Adelaide Clutch Services has transformed into Australian Clutch Services, servicing a global market and as the owner of six market leading brands including ClutchPro, Xtreme Clutch, Xtreme Outback, AG Clutch, ClutchPro Commercial and its US based subsidiary, XClutch.
Now operating out of a purpose-built facility in Wingfield, South Australia and with extensive growth throughout all markets, ACS was acquired by Amotiv Limited (formerly GUD Holdings Ltd) in 2021.
The ACS range of products are distributed throughout Australia via its nationwide distribution network of trade and retail parts outlets.
These distributors are serviced via eight warehouses located in key locations around Australia including Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. ACS also has stock located in warehouses in New Zealand and the US.
THE ACS BRAND PORTFOLIO
ClutchPro
ClutchPro is ACS’ standard replacement brand for passenger car applications and also covers the extensive range of hydraulics and actuation accessories.
The range has been developed to provide “the ultimate solution” for the trade, with the clutch assembly coming in kit form with different components depending on the specific vehicle.
The kits can include pressure plate, friction disc, flywheel (dual mass or single mass), concentric slave cylinder or release bearing, alignment tool and spigot bearing or bush as well as a sachet of spline grease.
ACS says these kits are ideal for standard replacement applications and are available to suit all popular makes and models.
The ClutchPro Hydraulics range incorporates replacement master cylinders, slave cylinders, clutch lines, dampers and boosters whilst the accessories range covers all other components of the actuation system such as pedal pads, clutch fork and pivot ball kits, clutch cables, replacement bolts and transmission guide tubes.
Xtreme Clutch
As a leader in performance clutch kits for street and motorsport applications globally, the Xtreme Clutch brand has evolved to provide an extensive range of different performance clutch upgrades for passenger car applications.
As the clutch of choice for some of the world’s top drift drivers and teams, the Xtreme Clutch brand is distributed throughout Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and offers various levels of upgrade depending on the vehicle use.
With everything from single plate organic upgrades for lightly modified street cars through to quad plate 7.25” race clutches used in top Time Attack and various circuit racing categories, ACS says the Xtreme Clutch range provides the ultimate performance solution for the aftermarket.
Xtreme Clutch also offers custom clutch solutions for those changing engines or transmissions which is handled in-house by the ACS engineering team.
Xtreme Clutch recently developed a universal fitment performance concentric slave cylinder to assist in these conversions and in motorsport applications.
This innovative design allows for adjustment of the bearing height, allowing for optimal operation of a conversion where clutch heights can vary from factory.
Xtreme Outback
Catering to the modified and off-road 4×4 market globally, the Xtreme Outback brand provides heavy duty clutch solutions for an exhaustive selection of 4x4s.
As a major part of the export division at ACS, the Xtreme Outback brand has been developed to suit the needs of those modifying their 4×4 for increased power and torque as well as heavy off-road use and towing.
These kits are developed in-house for increased clamping force whilst the engineering team also focuses on minimising changes to pedal
effort and noise to provide a clutch solution that still offers excellent driveability on the street whilst significantly improving torque holding capability.
“We are always trying to find the optimal balance between driveability and performance, and as this changes between each specific vehicle and clutch type, we put a lot of our R&D into trying to minimise those changes to driveability,” ACS Engineering Manager, Stewart Furze, said.
ClutchPro Commercial
Specialising in clutch kits, flywheels, hydraulics and actuation components for commercial vehicles such as truck and bus, the ClutchPro Commercial range is a specialist brand within ACS and offers a comprehensive range as well as the technical support required for these specific applications.
The commercial range covers all popular makes and models, including American, Japanese and European manufactured vehicles.
The commercial range also includes clutch brakes and some tools for specific vehicles such as clutch adjustment tools and fitment tools.
This range is incorporated into the ACS online catalogue and is available through the ACS distribution network in Australia and New Zealand.
AG Clutch
Covering Agricultural, Industrial, Forklift and Marine vehicles and equipment, the AG Clutch range is extensive and also includes a rebuild facility at the ACS R&D facility to allow for the restoration of rare and obsolete clutch components which are no longer available.
ACS explains the AG Clutch brand also offers a range of specialist clutch components sourced globally to help get even the rarest of equipment back on the road as soon as possible.
XClutch USA
A separate subsidiary operated by ACS, XClutch USA is the sister brand to Xtreme Clutch and Xtreme Outback in Australia and provides these upgrades to the US and Canada.
The brand was developed off the knowledge gained over several decades in the industry throughout Australia and Europe, with the brand offering one of the most comprehensive performance catalogues in the US.
XClutch is serviced through a warehouse in Ohio and is distributed via performance parts specialists in the US and Canada.
Innovation: a focus on R&D and technical expertise
With in-house engineering and testing, the team at ACS say they are constantly on the lookout for the latest clutch innovations and are developing their designs to provide cutting edge solutions.
With a focus on providing the best possible clutch solution for each specific vehicle rather than just a generalised range, the ACS team focuses on the driver’s experience as well as trying to offer the ultimate in value and efficiency for workshops.
ACS provides clutch solutions for the latest in clutch technology including an extensive selection of dual clutch transmission (DCT) clutch assemblies, flywheels and actuation components.
With a tool hire program and specialised tools available, ACS says it is always looking to make it as easy as possible for workshops to take on DCT clutch replacements.
“Whether it be for a new external slave cylinder with a specialised sensor, or a complete DCT clutch replacement, we are always looking to enhance our range, but also provide the technical expertise to our customers around the world,” Stewart said.
“We provide a huge database of technical information through our online catalogue, technical videos on our YouTube channel and of course, our technical service bulletins provided in kits.
“This technical information is all developed in-house to support our customers with everything from very basic clutch installation tips through to detailed installation guides for our products.”
Looking to the future
ACS says that the future looks bright for this Australian business in both the domestic market and on the global stage.
“Although the number of manual vehicles entering the market is diminishing, the increase in DCT equipped vehicles as well as the significant number of vehicles on the road now looking for aftermarket alternatives for their clutch make the industry an exciting growth opportunity, particularly in emerging international markets,” ACS General Manager, Simon Acton, said.
“We are growing market share in Europe, the US and the Middle East with several further international markets on the horizon for ACS to enter over the coming years.
“Our product range is continuously evolving to incorporate the latest technology and different versions of existing replacement components, including a booming dual mass to single mass flywheel conversion market.
“With our range of actuation components continuing to expand and the opportunities to take our knowledge worldwide, we are very excited for the future of ACS both in Australia and as a global market leader.”
ACS is investing heavily into new market opportunities, staff and its extensive product range, all supported by Amotiv Limited.
“We are always after continuous improvement and finding ways to streamline the process for our customers, including keeping as many products on the shelf as possible and locating these in our warehouses around Australia for fast delivery,” Simon said.
“We are working on improving these critical factors currently and will continue to provide a focus on our distributor network throughout the country so they are supported with the complete clutch solution.”
For more information on the Australian Clutch Services range of brands, please visit www.australianclutch.com.au or call 1800 CLUTCH.