About Us
At Trinder, our commitment to innovation while also increasing productivity and safety has established us as a trusted engineering partner across a broad range of industries and sectors.
We view our role as enabling customers to better serve their industries and customers by utilising our extensive experience and expertise in designing, manufacturing, installing, and repairing a substantial range of products and equipment.
Trinder Engineers is a New Zealand–owned and operated engineering and manufacturing company with more than 70 years industry experience delivering practical, engineering solutions across the primary, manufacturing and construction sectors.
With all capabilities in-house — including CAD design, 3D scanning, fabrication, machining, assembly, installation and servicing — we deliver faster lead times, superior quality control and clear, direct communication, positioning Trinder as a leading provider of engineering, design and manufacturing solutions, supplying both domestic and export markets.
More than a fabricator or manufacturer - we are a long-term engineering partner.
Our strength lies in our people. We bring together professional engineers and highly skilled tradespeople who work collaboratively across design, fabrication, installation and service. This integrated approach allows us to deliver solutions that are not only technically sound, practical and fit for real-world operating conditions.
From initial concept through to commissioning and lifetime support, we work alongside our clients to turn ideas into reliable, working solutions.
Let’s engineer a more productive future, together.
OUR PURPOSE
Boosting productivity for growers, producers and manufacturers
We recognise our industry needs and utilise the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 to drive our core values with ongoing improvement to Health and Safety and the wider business operations.
We use our employee’s vast knowledge within the engineering industry to facilitate safe work practices and encourage engagement at all levels of the business.
In our organisational policies and actions we are committed to:
Care – eliminating and minimising the exposure of people to hazards, and our effect on the environment, as outlined in our Health and Safety Policy.
People – looking after our people and their safety and well-being; we are proudly accredited with New Zealand’s highest workplace health and safety standard – Tertiary Accreditation.
Products – incorporating safety standards and innovation that improves the safety of the equipment and its operators as a key design factor in all our work.
Environment – ensuring that impact from our manufacturing and products is measured and managed effectively to reduce our environmental footprint, as outlined in our Environmental Policy.
For more information on Health and Safety at the Trinder Group and to read our policies see here
OUR MISSION
To optimise customer productivity and safety with innovative end-to-end engineering problem solving
Our history
1948
Jock started Trinder Engineers as a Blacksmiths
The workshop was a small dark shed with a dirt floor, building axe’s, horseshoes, grubbers etc – focusing on the farming and agriculture community.
1954
Trinder took on their first apprentices
In the 1950’s, apprenticeships were being introduced into New Zealand and in 1954 Jock took on his first two apprentices – Peter Wilde and Gerald Holland.
1958
1960's
1970's
1980's
1990's
2000
2003
2004
2005
Trinder Training upscaled
A dedicated full-time apprentice trainer was employed at Trinder for one-on-one style training. “We teach them the Trinder Way, as set out in our operations manual. That’s not to say it’s a different way of doing things because it’s not. Rather, it’s a culture thing about doing the whole job and doing it right the first time. I felt that I wasn’t trained very well, learning mostly – and hopefully- from my mistakes. While there’s always an element of that in training, it shouldn’t be the basis of training. It’s far better to be shown the correct way from the outset – either doing it yourself under supervision or watching someone else do it the correct way.” – Kerry Hill.
2009
Phil Kirk joins Trinder as a Director
Cementing his good reputation and extensive knowledge within the company, Phil joined Kerry as a Director of A W Trinder Ltd.
2010
Mike Gabities Retires
2015
Waimea Engineering expansion
With Waimea growing significantly and expansion on the horizon, it started leasing some of the workshops in Eden’s Road as well as becoming the only Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing Certifiers in the Nelson Tasman Region.
2019
Research and Innovation Department was created
With innovation and design at the core of the business, a dedicated R&I Department was established. Professional networks with strong, established links to funding agencies and national research providers became partners.
2023
Partnership with Comans to relocate
2023 was another major milestone year for the company, and after partnering with Coman Construction, the Director’s signed the paperwork to relocate the Trinder workshops and headquarters to a brand-new purpose-built workshop in Coman Drive.
2024
The build and the move
January 2024, the first cut of steel was made for the new workshops, and by November 2024, Trinder headquarters and workshops begun relocating to their new home at 1 Mānatu Way.
Our history
1948
Jock started Trinder Engineers as a Blacksmiths
The workshop was a small dark shed with a dirt floor, building axe’s, horseshoes, grubbers etc – focusing on the farming and agriculture community.
1954
Trinder took on their first apprentices
In the 1950’s, apprenticeships were being introduced into New Zealand and in 1954 Jock took on his first two apprentices – Peter Wilde and Gerald Holland.
1958
Trinder Engineers became an incorporated company – A W Trinder Limited and shifted premises
Jock and his small team built and shifted to a purpose-built larger premises adjacent to the then Railway Hotel on Gladstone Road
1960's
Diversification of services
Much of the earlier work was farming orientated. With the purpose-built premises and better access as well as the very early model International Truck with a Trinder Built hand-powered crane, Jock was able to expand the range of services they offered to include structural steel. Many of the local halls were erected using the Trinder International Crane Truck
1970's
Mike Gabities joins the Trinder Team
Mike Gabities joined Trinder in 1973
1980's
Jock sold his shares
In the mid 1980’s, Jock sold his shares to a handful of his employees upon retirement. It retained its family atmosphere while simultaneously expanding capabilities to meet the increasing needs of local industry and the wider community.
1990's
Trinder moved sites – again.
With a further desire to expand, Trinder moved to the site that it resided on for over 30 years – the corner of Gladstone Road and Poutama Street.
2000
Kerry Hill Managing Director, Waimea Engineering was purchased, Barry Don retired
2000 was a big year for Trinder – Barry Don stepped into his retirement and Kerry Hill put down the tools and took on the Managing Director role. Waimea Engineering was purchased as a wholly owned subsidiary of A W Trinder LTD after working with Phil Kirk on various jobs, it seemed logical to join forces, enabling the further expansion of heavy transport manufacture and maintenance.
2003
Formal Training at ALL levels was implemented.
A formal training program namely The Trinder Way was implemented across all levels of staff within Trinder – in July 2005, Prime Minister Helen Clark visited Trinder, acknowledging the dedication to staff and training. Clark was very impressed with the achievements.
2004
Gerald Holland Retired
Gerald Holland retired as Trinder’s longest serving employee. After achieving his apprenticeship as a boilermaker/welder, Gerald stayed at Trinder for a total of 50 years. As well as his commitment to Trinder, Gerald also retired from the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade after serving 50 years.
2005
Trinder Training upscaled
A dedicated full-time apprentice trainer was employed at Trinder for one-on-one style training.
“We teach them the Trinder Way, as set out in our operations manual. That’s not to say it’s a different way of doing things because it’s not. Rather, it’s a culture thing about doing the whole job and doing it right the first time. I felt that I wasn’t trained very well, learning mostly – and hopefully- from my mistakes. While there’s always an element of that in training, it shouldn’t be the basis of training. It’s far better to be shown the correct way from the outset – either doing it yourself under supervision or watching someone else do it the correct way.”
– Kerry Hill.
2009
Phil Kirk joins Trinder as a Director
Cementing his good reputation and extensive knowledge within the company, Phil joined Kerry as a Director of A W Trinder Ltd.
2010
Mike Gabities Retires
Mike retired after 37 years’ at Trinder. Beginning his career at Trinder as a Fitter/Turner and then went on to run the back workshop and estimation team.
2015
Waimea Engineering expansion
With Waimea growing significantly and expansion on the horizon, it started leasing some of the workshops in Eden’s Road as well as becoming the only Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing Certifiers in the Nelson Tasman Region.
2019
Research and Innovation Department was created
With innovation and design at the core of the business, a dedicated R&I Department was established. Professional networks with strong, established links to funding agencies and national research providers became partners.
2023
Partnership with Comans to relocate
2023 was another major milestone year for the company, and after partnering with Coman Construction, the Director’s signed the paperwork to relocate the Trinder workshops and headquarters to a brand-new purpose-built workshop in Coman Drive.
2024
The build and the move
January 2024, the first cut of steel was made for the new workshops, and by November 2024, Trinder headquarters and workshops begun relocating to their new home at 1 Mānatu Way.
OUR VISION
To be recognised as the top-of- the-south’s most reputable engineers – for our team, customers and community
Our values
Where every measure matters
Team driven
Progressive
Accountable
Let’s bring your ideas to life
Whether you need a full design management or client-driven detailed design, our qualified engineers are ready to tackle your challenges. Contact us today to start your journey towards innovative engineering solutions.