WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE FROM
Behind all the trailers, tankers and great gear on the road, there’s a GREAT story.
A reputation built over more than 50 years
The engineering company started by Ian Patchell in a small, rented workshop more than 50 years ago is a bit bigger today. Patchell has become New Zealand’s leader in heavy transport equipment. But we’re still based in Rotorua and still building gear for businesses like yours.
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WHAT WE DO
We cover it all. End-to-end.
DESIGN
SURFACE COATINGS
FABRICATION
FINISHING
MACHINE SHOP
CERTIFICATION
Patchell people
Wherever you look, at any of our 11 sites around Rotorua, you’ll find Patchell people upholding our tradition of quality. We’re a team of over 160 specialists - in everything from design to spray-painting, and fabrication to repairs.
Looking after our community
Patchell is proud to be part of our Rotorua community. We’re committed to supporting many great events and organisations that make Rotorua such a special place to live and work.
Looking after our crew
Safety matters to you. It matters to us, too. Patchell people are family. That’s why our health & safety systems and processes start with our team. We have a dedicated health & wellbeing staff group and every safety process is independently audited.
All about innovation
To stay out in front, you have to innovate. Innovation has been a major part of the business since Ian Patchell set up shop in the 70s. The gear we’ve designed over the years has now become the industry standard. From low-tare chassis design to reducing trailer roll-overs, Patchell innovation means more reliable, better-performing and safer gear on the road.
THE PATCHELL DIFFERENCE
What makes us different
OUR HISTORY
Where we've come from
1972
Young boilermaker Ian Patchell sets himself up in business in a small, rented workshop in Rotorua. He starts making bulldozer attachments and doing structural repairs for heavy equipment.
1970s
The business grows and starts designing its own on- and off-road logging gear, log loaders and heavy earth-moving attachments.
1995
Ian Patchell starts SI Lodec, providing on-board weighing equipment.
2004
With the purchase of Simmons Stainless and Rotorua Stainless, Patchell moves into stainless steel equipment production.
2005
Patchell acquires the intellectual property for Kiwi-made Swinglift side-loaders.
2022
Patchell celebrates its 50th anniversary and Ian Patchell is inducted into the Transport NZ Hall of Fame.