10 | Loadmaster T T Kelly Deeks Rapid expansion marks transformation Loadmaster has capped off an extraordinary period of growth by taking out the Fastest Growing Manufacturing Business in Christchurch and the upper South Island at the 2025 Deloitte Fast 50 Awards. “We’ve invested heavily in R&D to meet modern fleet requirements and design products that solve real problems for our customers. That’s our secret sauce.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Christchurch manufacturer Loadmaster has capped off an extraordinary period of growth by taking out the Fastest Growing Manufacturing Business in Christchurch and the upper South Island at the 2025 Deloitte Fast 50 Awards, recognising its rapid expansion under the leadership of owner Tony Hogg. Next year marks Loadmaster’s 70th anniversary, but Tony says it’s a new chapter that’s brought the long-standing business to the forefront of New Zealand manufacturing. “This business has been through a transformation,” he says. “I bought Loadmaster in 2021, and since then we’ve acquired two associated companies, Towsafe and Metalcraft Engineering. That’s where our growth explosion has come from.” Founded in 1956, Loadmaster built its reputation as a specialist manufacturer of ute and truck decks, service bodies, protection equipment, and load-carrying systems. Today, the company is thriving across three Christchurch sites, offering a broad range of products and bespoke solutions for commercial, government, and private vehicle users throughout New Zealand. With his background in leading manufacturing organisations in New Zealand and Australia, Tony saw Loadmaster as the right opportunity to apply his experience to a business with strong foundations and significant untapped potential. That instinct has paid off. Since taking ownership, Tony has driven an aggressive growth strategy through acquisition, innovation, and diversification. The purchase of Towsafe, a Christchurchbased manufacturer of premium towbars, added significant production volume and a strong distribution network. The acquisition of Metalcraft Engineering, a long-established fabrication and design house specialising in architectural metalwork and transport solutions for the glazing and flat panel industries, brought complementary skills, equipment, and manufacturing capability. “Each acquisition strengthened the group,” Tony says. “Towsafe gave us scale and reach, and Metalcraft brought specialist engineering expertise. Together, the synergies between the businesses have created efficiency in purchasing, systems, and product development.” He says the transformation has been driven not only by acquisition, but also by the strength of the wider leadership team and their focus on modernising systems, improving processes, and elevating the brand. Research and development have been another key driver of growth. Tony’s background in technical innovation has seen substantial investment in new product design, modernisation of existing lines, and automation. “The market is changing fast, and you have to keep moving or you’ll get left behind,” he says. “We’ve invested heavily in R&D to meet modern fleet requirements and design products that solve real problems for our customers. That’s our secret sauce.” Significant investment in R&D, new tooling, engineering capability, and modern production systems have driven both quality improvements and export growth. Loadmaster’s research and product development team is now working on several new projects that will continue to modernise its range and expand its export potential. The company already ships towbars and deck systems nationwide and exports to Australia and the United States, with further international expansion on the horizon. “We’re planning to grow our market presence in both Australia and the US, and we’re developing new manufacturing and assembly capability here in New Zealand to support that growth.” Snorkel, Aichi and more. Supporting the Access Equipment & EWP industry for over 50 years. DONT GET CAUGHT WITH UNCERTIFIED OR UNSAFE EQUIPMENT Call Hyspecs on 03 366 1872 or visit www.hyspecs.co.nz FOR ALL YOUR ACCESS EQUIPMENT & EWP SERVICE AND CERTIFICATION NEEDS • Service & Maintain all EWP Equipment • Six Month EWP Certification • 10 & 5 Year Major Examination Service • Emergency Breakdown Service • CBIP Accredited • South Island Snorkel Service Agents • Full Service History kept & maintained on EWP Equipment certified, maintained & repaired through our workshop
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=