Riverlea Group
Northgate Business Park, Horotiu
Riverlea Group
Lifestyle, Legacy, Adaptability and Growth
From humble beginnings in Hamilton with an office in the laundry, to a flagship New Zealand-based company, over the last three decades, Riverlea Group has established an exceptional reputation for delivering top-tier products across markets and maintaining a deep commitment to customer support and strong community ties.
The family-based business manufactures and distributes world-class outdoor products featuring household brands such as Duratuf garden sheds, Armorsteel roofing, NZ Wheelbarrows, and Greens Wheelbarrows - all produced in Hamilton.
Over the years, Riverlea have expanded operations and production range and have grown into industry leaders, partnering to provide their products to retail giants Placemakers, Mitre 10, ITM, and Bunnings. They serve New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
A pivotal time that saw exponential growth, was spring of 2020, when covid saw kiwis turn to home projects that meant they could spend more time outside in their own backyards.
A world-class facility
To accommodate the boom in demand, in July 2024, Riverlea moved to a purpose-built, world-class manufacturing and office facility at Northgate Business Park in Horotiu.
The almost 9000sqm space will mostly be used for manufacturing, but the design also includes 960sqm of office space spread over two levels, mostly upstairs with the boardroom, meeting rooms, IT, cafeteria and ablutions on the lower level.
They supplied all the steel roofing and cladding for their new home as well as an innovative product called Driptex.
This unique material is a felt fabric roll-formed on the back of the cladding, acting as a membrane that absorbs moisture and eliminates the need for traditional roofing underlay.
A key feature includes a 6.3-tonne gantry crane running down one side of the building with a 29-metre span, which will replace the frequent need for forklifts to shift heavy coils of steel.
The new building has enabled the company to make a significant investment in new steel processing machinery that will be crucial in meeting future manufacturing goals.
The heart of the Golden Triangle
The new facility offers the best strategic location sitting at the heart of the Golden Triangle.
With excellent access to State Highways 1 and 1C, servicing supply chains throughout the northern routes and the greater Waikato region, the connections are first-class with lifestyle and productivity wins.
The new Waikato expressway has been a game-changer for businesses with direct access, with traffic flowing freely and easily on this impressive and safe stretch of roading.
Continued diversification
In 2009, the company took over the Greens brand of wheelbarrows, and in 2018 they bought out their largest competitor, New Zealand Wheelbarrows.
These strategic moves along with diversifying their range have helped to build resilience and reach in the market for Riverlea Group.
Their Armorsteel division caters to the rural and agricultural sectors, specialising in roofing solutions for farm shed construction and the newly launched Stormà brand of garages blend practicality with aesthetics.
A legacy built on family leadership and community
When Riverlea Group was founded in 1992, they employed four staff and today the team of 65 is strong and growing.
At the heart of the group’s ethos is a firm dedication to their people and their community. They believe their success is intertwined with the well-being of the communities they serve.
This translates into actions such as investing in local jobs and collaborating with charitable organisations. The group are steadfast advocates for New Zealand manufacturing, emphasising the importance of local production to the economy.
Despite their growth, the company remains family-operated, with Laurie and his brother Kerry actively engaged in the business alongside their 75-year-old father, who continues to visit the office daily.
Riverlea Group continues to excel in every market they enter, building a shining Waikato district legacy while staying true to their family, community, people-orientated values.
