42 | Building trailers a booming business Operating out of a purpose-renovated 1000sqm facility on Te Ngae Road, Top Gear Rotorua employs a growing team of skilled staff. Top Gear Rotorua T T Hugh de Lacy “We use WorkGuru as our workflow and costing software to keep our operations streamlined and efficient. This enables us to understand when to invest and when to focus on the core strengths of the company.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT What began as a personal project for Scott Hewson to transport race gear for himself and his sons, Top Gear Rotorua has become a thriving enclosed trailer manufacturing business with international reach. Company founder, Scott, transformed his background in forestry and heavy machinery maintenance into a successful and expanding venture, producing high-quality, enclosed trailers for motorsport, domestic, and commercial use. A seasoned speedway racer and skilled engineer, Scott initially built trailers to carry his own race car, and later his sons Bradley and Niko’s go-karts to the track. The trailers drew plenty of attention from fellow racers and enthusiasts, sparking the idea to turn it into a business opportunity. Starting in 2005 with just Scott, and support from his parents, Donna and Paul Hewson, Top Gear Rotorua has steadily expanded. Today, the company operates out of a purpose-renovated 1000sqm facility on Te Ngae Road, Rotorua, and employs a growing team of skilled staff. To date, Top Gear Rotorua has manufactured more than 550 trailers and established a strong export presence, including a growing market in Canada and a recent expansion into Australia. It has even custom designed and built a trailer for Air Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and continues to receive and dispatch orders for bespoke models, from its local and overseas markets. Top Gear Rotorua, also known as Top Gear Trailers, offers two main build methods in its trailer-manufacturing processes: aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding over steel frame, and chiller panel construction. The company is renowned for its ability to manufacture highly customised features for the ultimate transport experience. Top Gear Trailer’s most popular ranges, the Top Gear Hauler and the Top Gear Karter, come in various sizes and can be built by either method, depending on application. “About 90% of the business is now focused on trailers,” says business development lead, Miriam Hewson, who is Scott’s wife. “The remaining 10% of the business is dedicated to general engineering, supporting local councils and builders with custom-made infrastructure and construction components.” Miriam credits the company’s evolution to Scott’s adaptability and vision. “Over the past 20 years, he has developed a remarkable ability to spot market opportunities and take calculated risks. He’s incredibly thorough, and conscientious,” Miriam says. “We use WorkGuru as our workflow and costing software to keep our operations streamlined and efficient. This enables us to understand when to invest and when to focus on the core strengths of the company.” Top Gear Trailer’s Australian expansion, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, officially launched in June 2024. Leading the charge is Scott’s son, Bradley, now based in Melbourne to oversee the brand’s growth across the Tasman. Top Gear Rotorua is also a proud licensee of the New Zealand FernMark, a government-recognised symbol of quality and authenticity that supports its international credibility. From humble beginnings to a respected name in enclosed trailer manufacturing, Top Gear Trailers continues to grow, driven by innovation, family values, and a passion for engineering excellence. info@powdercoatingnz.co.nz | www.powdercoatingnz.co.nz | 07 823 4001 | 10/12A Carters Crescent, Cambridge 3434 Industry-leading quality & durability Commercial, industrial & domestic services Convenient pick-up & delivery available Renowned for Excellence Proudly supporting Top Gear Rotorua
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