Clark Rubber: Proudly Australian Owned and Operated for 80 Years

Clark Rubber: Proudly Australian Owned and Operated for 80 Years

For 80 years, Clark Rubber has been part of Australian homes, backyards, businesses and communities. From pools and pool care to foam, rubber, cleaning, flooring, bedding, outdoor living and custom solutions, Clark Rubber has grown from a distinctly Australian idea into one of the country’s most recognised specialty retail brands.

Founded in Australia in 1946, Clark Rubber’s story began with Clark Matting and Rubber, established by Charlesworth and Clark. The business grew quickly, later becoming Clark Rubber Stores in 1961 and evolving into the trusted national retail network Australians know today. In 2026, Clark Rubber marks 80 years as an iconic Australian retail brand, now owned by CRG Operations and continuing its next chapter under Australian ownership.

Quick Answer: Is Clark Rubber Australian Owned and Operated?

Yes. Clark Rubber is proudly Australian owned and operated. The business has been part of Australian retail since 1946 and continues to serve customers across Australia through its national store network, online store, franchise community, and specialist product and service categories. Clark Rubber's brand has been part of Australian backyards since 1946.

That Australian identity matters. It means Clark Rubber understands the way Australians live: hot summers, backyard pools, coastal lifestyles, weekend DIY projects, caravanning holidays, family homes, outdoor entertaining, local businesses and the constant need for practical, reliable advice.

A Brand Born in Australia

Clark Rubber’s history is a story of Australian entrepreneurship, reinvention and resilience. The brand began in 1946 when Charlesworth and Clark formed a partnership to establish Clark Matting and Rubber. By 1951, the business had grown enough to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and in 1961, it became known as Clark Rubber Stores.

That origin still shapes the business today. Clark Rubber did not arrive in Australia as an overseas retailer trying to understand local conditions. It started here. It grew here. It adapted to Australian homes, families, weather, lifestyles and customer needs.

Over eight decades, the brand has seen enormous change. Australian backyards have changed. Shopping habits have changed. Homes have changed. Pools, bedding, foam, rubber and cleaning needs have changed. Yet Clark Rubber has remained focused on practical products, expert advice and genuine service.

80 Years of Helping Australians Solve Everyday Problems

One of the reasons Clark Rubber has remained relevant for 80 years is simple: it helps people solve real problems.

Need foam cut to size for a caravan mattress, boat cushion, daybed, lounge, pet bed, packaging insert or DIY project? Clark Rubber can help.

Need pool chemicals, water testing, a pump, a filter, a cleaner, a chlorinator, a cover or professional advice to keep your pool clean? Clark Rubber can help.

Need rubber matting, seals, grommets, hoses, flooring, stoppers, strips, adhesives or protective surfaces for home, trade, automotive, commercial or industrial use? Clark Rubber can help.

Need cleaning supplies, outdoor products, bedding, camping mattresses or home comfort solutions? Clark Rubber can help.

That problem-solving role has made Clark Rubber more than a store. It has become a destination for people who need the right product, the right size, the right fit and the right advice.

Why Australian Ownership Matters

For many customers, buying from an Australian owned and operated business is about more than a label. It is about trust, local understanding and supporting businesses that are connected to Australian communities.

Clark Rubber’s Australian ownership and operation support:

• local stores and franchisees
• Australian jobs across retail, operations, support and service
• specialist knowledge suited to Australian homes and conditions
• products and advice designed for local weather, lifestyle and usage
• communities that have known the brand for generations

Australian backyards are unique. They are places for swimming, barbecues, family gatherings, pets, kids, hobbies, gardening, repairs and summer memories. Clark Rubber has built its reputation by understanding those spaces and the products people need to enjoy them.

From Pools to Foam to Rubber: A Truly Unique Australian Retailer

Clark Rubber occupies a unique position in Australian retail because it brings together specialist categories that many other retailers treat separately. Clark Rubber stores are specialists in pools, foam, rubber and cleaning, with a broad customer base that includes families, tradies, hobbyists and commercial customers.

That diversity is one of Clark Rubber’s biggest strengths.

A family might visit for a pool test, return for a mattress topper, then come back for outdoor cushions or pool toys and inflatables.

A tradie might need rubber matting, hoses, seals, adhesive or protective flooring.

A caravanning enthusiast might need a custom mattress or foam insert.

A business might need cleaning supplies, workplace matting or commercial foam solutions.

A parent might need soft play foam, water safety products or comfortable bedding.

Clark Rubber’s product mix reflects the real variety of Australian life. It is practical, seasonal, technical, personal and often customised.

The Clark Rubber Difference: Knowledge, Service and Custom Solutions

In an age of generic online shopping, Clark Rubber continues to stand out because many of its products require knowledge.

Foam is a good example. Choosing the right foam is not always as simple as picking a size. Customers may need advice on density, thickness, comfort level, durability, use case, shape, cover options and custom cutting. The right foam for a lounge cushion may be different from the right foam for a caravan mattress, gym mat, packaging insert or outdoor seat.

Pools are another example. Pool owners often need more than a product on a shelf. They need water testing, treatment advice, maintenance support, equipment guidance and help understanding how to keep their pool safe, clean and ready to enjoy.

Rubber products can also be technical. A customer may need help choosing the right matting, seal, strip, hose, grommet or flooring for a specific purpose.

That is where Clark Rubber’s specialist model matters. The brand combines product range with hands-on knowledge, giving customers confidence that they are choosing the right solution.

Part of Australian Backyards Since 1946

Few retail categories are as closely tied to Australian living as pools and outdoor lifestyle.

Across the country, the backyard pool is a place where families cool down, kids learn to swim, friends gather, and summer memories are made. Clark Rubber has been part of that story for generations.

The brand offers pool products, pool care, water testing, pool equipment, pool cleaners, pumps, filters, chemicals, covers, accessories and service support. It also helps customers choose pool solutions to suit their backyard, budget and lifestyle. Clark Rubber’s pool professionals can support customers with pool equipment selection, installation, optional upgrades, accessories, onsite pool service and maintenance.

That combination of product and advice is important because pool ownership is ongoing. It is not just about buying a pool. It is about keeping the water balanced, the equipment running and the backyard ready for the next swim.

A Brand Australians Recognise

Clark Rubber is one of those names many Australians grew up with. For some, it brings back memories of visiting a local store with parents. For others, it is associated with summer pool care, foam cut to size, practical DIY fixes or the famous Clarkee mascot.

That recognition has been built over decades. It comes from local stores, familiar signage, helpful staff, practical products, advertising, word of mouth and the brand’s consistent role in everyday Australian life.

In a retail market that has changed dramatically since 1946, reaching 80 years is a genuine achievement. It shows that Clark Rubber has been able to evolve while keeping the parts of the brand customers value: expertise, usefulness, range and local service.

Clarkee An Integral Part of The Brand

As one of Australia’s most iconic native animals ,Clarkee the Platypus is the cheerful and energetic, bringing fun, friendliness, and true Aussie spirit to the brand. Introduced in the early 2000s, Clarkee quickly became a recognisable and much-loved part of the Clark Rubber family, helping connect the brand with customers and communities across Australia. Unique, adaptable, and instantly recognisable, the platypus reflects the character of Clark Rubber itself: proudly Australian, versatile, and full of personality. Just like the stores, Clarkee is always ready to help customers find creative solutions, whether it’s for pools, foam, rubber, DIY projects, or family fun.

Clarkee became especially memorable through his appearances in Clark Rubber television commercials, where he helped bring the brand’s playful personality to life. Many Australians remember Clarkee singing the iconic Clark Pools jingle, “Better than a beach in your own backyard,” a catchy and nostalgic line that became closely associated with summer, family fun, and backyard pools. These commercials helped make Clarkee a familiar face in homes across the country and strengthened his connection with generations of customers.

Over the years, Clarkee has appeared in promotions, store events, and community activities, bringing energy and excitement to customers of all ages. His playful nature helps create a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere that reflects the values of the brand.

More than just a mascot, Clarkee the Platypus represents the heart of Clark Rubber - a proud Australian brand built on innovation, practicality, and fun. By choosing one of Australia’s most beloved native animals as its mascot, Clark Rubber celebrates its strong Australian identity and the communities it has proudly served for decades.

The Next Chapter for an 80-Year-Old Australian Brand

Celebrating 80 years is not just about looking back. It is also about looking forward.

Clark Rubber is entering an exciting new phase, with an expanded head office team and store network, and enhanced product and service offerings, particularly within the pool and spa category. The brand is positioning itself as the one-stop destination for “Everything Pools, Foam, Rubber & Cleaning.”

That future-facing approach is also reflected in Project Ignite, Clark Rubber’s retail evolution program. The first Project Ignite store opened at Chirnside Park, representing a new chapter for the brand and franchise network. The initiative focuses on repositioning the brand for modern customers, strengthening emotional connection and creating a scalable store format for the future.

For customers, that means the same trusted Australian brand, with a more modern and connected shopping experience.

Why Customers Choose Clark Rubber

Customers choose Clark Rubber because it offers a combination that is hard to find elsewhere: specialist products, custom solutions, national reach and local service.

Clark Rubber is useful when the answer is not obvious. When a customer does not know which pool chemical to use, which foam density to choose, which rubber matting suits a wet area, or which pool equipment part they need, the ability to speak with someone knowledgeable matters.

That advice-led model helps customers save time, avoid mistakes and feel more confident. It also makes Clark Rubber especially valuable for categories where fit, performance, safety or durability matters.

Supporting Australian Families, Tradies, Hobbyists and Businesses

One of the most distinctive things about Clark Rubber is the range of people it serves.

Families come in for pools, pool toys, bedding, soft play, outdoor cushions and backyard solutions.

Tradies come in for matting, rubber, hoses, adhesives, seals and practical worksite products.

Hobbyists come in for foam, craft materials, DIY projects, restoration work and custom-cut pieces.

Commercial customers come in for cleaning supplies, workplace matting, packaging foam, flooring and business solutions.

This broad customer base reflects the practical nature of the brand. Clark Rubber helps people do things: build, fix, swim, clean, sleep, protect, cushion, repair, maintain and enjoy.

Proudly Australian Owned and Operated: More Than a Statement

“Proudly Australian owned and operated” is more than a marketing line. For Clark Rubber, it reflects 80 years of Australian retail history, Australian customers, Australian backyards and Australian know-how.

The brand understands the importance of a clean pool before a hot weekend. It understands the value of a comfortable caravan mattress before a long road trip. It understands why a tradie needs the right rubber product to finish a job properly. It understands why a family wants safe, practical and durable products for the home.

That local understanding is difficult to replicate. It has been built store by store, customer by customer, decade by decade.

What Makes Clark Rubber Different?

Clark Rubber is different because it combines four powerful strengths:

First, it has heritage. With a history dating back to 1946, Clark Rubber has been part of Australian retail for 80 years.

Second, it has specialist knowledge. The brand is known for categories that often require advice, including pools, foam, rubber and cleaning.

Third, it offers customisation. From cut-to-size foam to practical product matching, Clark Rubber helps customers find solutions that fit their exact needs.

Fourth, it is locally connected. Through stores across Australia, Clark Rubber serves local communities with products suited to Australian lifestyles.

The Enduring Value of Trust

Trust is built over time. It comes from doing the basics well: being helpful, offering reliable products, giving practical advice and showing up for customers year after year.

For 80 years, Clark Rubber has earned that trust by helping Australians with the products and knowledge they need for their homes, backyards, businesses and projects.

As retail becomes more automated and impersonal, trusted advice is becoming more valuable, not less. Customers still want to know they are making the right choice. They still want help from people who understand the product. They still want practical answers, not guesswork.

That is where Clark Rubber continues to play an important role.

Celebrating 80 Years of Clark Rubber

Clark Rubber’s 80-year milestone is a celebration of where the brand has come from and where it is going next.

It is a celebration of Australian beginnings in 1946.

It is a celebration of the stores, franchisees, teams and customers who have shaped the brand.

It is a celebration of pools, foam, rubber and cleaning solutions that have helped generations of Australians.

It is a celebration of local knowledge, practical advice and trusted service.

Most of all, it is a celebration of an Australian owned and operated brand that continues to evolve while staying true to what customers value most.

Final Answer: Why Is Clark Rubber an Iconic Australian Brand?

Clark Rubber is an iconic Australian brand because it started in Australia, has served Australian customers since 1946, is proudly Australian owned and operated, and continues to provide specialist products and advice across pools, foam, rubber and cleaning. After 80 years, Clark Rubber remains part of Australian homes, backyards, businesses and communities.

Whether you need help keeping your pool swim-ready, foam cut to size, rubber products for a project, cleaning supplies for your business, or practical advice from a specialist, Clark Rubber continues to be a trusted destination for Australian customers.

After 80 years, one thing remains clear: Clark Rubber is proudly Australian, proudly practical, and proudly here for the next generation of Australian homes and backyards.