About the group

A diversified group of companies delivering global goods to support Australian industry.

A family-owned Australian group with more than 140 years of history, CIL Group supports specialist industrial businesses through long-term ownership, operational knowledge and trusted relationships across key Australian industries.

Our Heritage

The Journey of CIL Group

CIL Group is a family-owned distribution and industrial services group supporting the Australian construction, mining, manufacturing and defence sectors.

Founded in 1885 as an international wool trading business, the Group built a long history in global wool sourcing, processing and exporting before diversifying into industrial markets during the 1990s.

Throughout that evolution, CIL Group has remained in the ownership of the Flipo family. That continuity has helped shape a business defined by long-term thinking, careful stewardship and a strong commitment to the people behind its success.

As the wool industry changed and contracted, the Group shifted its strategic focus towards acquiring and growing specialised mid-sized businesses where strong supply chain expertise, technical knowledge and disciplined ownership could create lasting value.

Today, CIL Group’s activities span industrial distribution and specialised services, with operating companies supplying carefully selected products and solutions for demanding environments across Australia. The Group also maintains a strong connection to its heritage through logistics services supporting the wool industry in Western Australia.

As a family business, CIL Group places real importance on people — valuing commitment, practical expertise, shared responsibility and long-term relationships. The Group believes enduring success is built by capable, dedicated people working together with integrity and purpose.

CIL Group continues to grow through a combination of entrepreneurial thinking, specialist expertise, long-term investment and a strong commitment to reliable customer service.

  1. 1885

    CIL Group established as an international wool trading business. Decades of global sourcing, export, and trade relationship development follow.

  2. 1960s

    IWD Pty Ltd founded as Australian exporters recognise the efficiency opportunity of containerisation. Wool dumping operations commence in Bibra Lake, WA.

  3. 1975

    Abrasiflex Pty Ltd established, building a specialist position in industrial abrasive distribution across Australia and South-East Asia.

  4. 1980s

    Strategic diversification into industrial sectors. Caddy Industrial Sales established to serve the construction support needs of WA contractors.

  5. 2007

    Abrasiflex joins CIL Group, strengthening industrial distribution.

  6. 2008

    Abrasiflex acquires the business of Magnetic Abrasives in Victoria

  7. 2013

    Abrasiflex acquires the business of Pan Abrasives (Australia).

  8. 2015

    Caddy Industrial Sales acquired, expanding construction support capabilities across WA and nationally. Abrasiflex acquires the business of Australian Industrial Abrasives.

  9. 2022

    Abrasiflex acquires the business of Weber Abrasives & Industrial Supplies in South Australia.

  10. 2024

    Caddy Industrial Sales acquires the businesses of FM Building & Industrial Services and OneSupply.

  11. Today

    Three specialist operating companies. Active growth through acquisition. Continuous family ownership. The same long-term philosophy that has guided the Group for 140 years.