Who We Are
TMC is one of New Zealand's leading heavy transport engineering companies, specialising in the design, manufacture, service, and repair of truck trailers and truck decks for the New Zealand road transport industry.
Proudly Kiwi-owned and operated since 1948, TMC has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, durable, and innovative transport solutions that meet the evolving needs of operators across the country.
TMC offers the widest range of trailer types available in New Zealand, with every unit custom-designed and precision-built to order. Utilising high-strength, lightweight steels and alloys, TMC trailers are engineered for performance, payload efficiency, and long-term durability—making them the preferred choice for many of New Zealand’s largest freight and logistics operators.
All trailers are manufactured at TMC’s purpose-built Christchurch facility, where every aspect of the process is controlled in-house. From initial design and engineering, through to fabrication, grit-blasting, painting, and final fit-out, TMC maintains the highest standards of quality assurance at every stage. This vertically integrated approach ensures the final product is not only built to spec—but built to last.
Recognising the importance of lifecycle support, TMC has established a nationwide service and repair network. Dedicated service centres in Christchurch, Auckland, and Hamilton are backed by a network of authorised service agents near most major transport hubs. Whether it’s routine maintenance, repairs, or structural rebuilds, TMC provides reliable, expert support to keep operators on the road and minimise downtime.
What sets TMC apart is its combination of engineering heritage, family ownership, and customer-first mindset. With decades of experience and a commitment to continuous improvement, TMC remains at the forefront of New Zealand’s trailer manufacturing industry—trusted by generations of transport operators to deliver solutions that work.
Proudly Kiwi-owned and operated since 1948, TMC has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, durable, and innovative transport solutions that meet the evolving needs of operators across the country.
TMC offers the widest range of trailer types available in New Zealand, with every unit custom-designed and precision-built to order. Utilising high-strength, lightweight steels and alloys, TMC trailers are engineered for performance, payload efficiency, and long-term durability—making them the preferred choice for many of New Zealand’s largest freight and logistics operators.
All trailers are manufactured at TMC’s purpose-built Christchurch facility, where every aspect of the process is controlled in-house. From initial design and engineering, through to fabrication, grit-blasting, painting, and final fit-out, TMC maintains the highest standards of quality assurance at every stage. This vertically integrated approach ensures the final product is not only built to spec—but built to last.
Recognising the importance of lifecycle support, TMC has established a nationwide service and repair network. Dedicated service centres in Christchurch, Auckland, and Hamilton are backed by a network of authorised service agents near most major transport hubs. Whether it’s routine maintenance, repairs, or structural rebuilds, TMC provides reliable, expert support to keep operators on the road and minimise downtime.
What sets TMC apart is its combination of engineering heritage, family ownership, and customer-first mindset. With decades of experience and a commitment to continuous improvement, TMC remains at the forefront of New Zealand’s trailer manufacturing industry—trusted by generations of transport operators to deliver solutions that work.
Our History
Established in 1948 by Ian Currie shortly after his return home from the Second World War.
The story of Ian’s engineering origins demonstrates his early passion for anything mechanical. Having first served as a mechanic with the New Zealand Scottish regiment in Guadalcanal and Bougainville, his service involved retrieving crashed American aircraft.
They were then stripped for parts and re-engineered to keep the New Zealand aircraft flying in battle. Ian’s team were supplied with an American tractor unit, which was hooked up to a transporter – the first he and most other New Zealanders had ever seen in any detail up close.
Ian’s experience during the war taught him about the load capabilities and efficiencies of a truck and trailer combination; it not only changed his life, but subsequently that of the New Zealand trailer building industry. The earliest trailers built by Ian were some of the very first transport trailers used on New Zealand roads.
In 1973, Ian’s son Paul Currie joined the business, starting out on the factory floor and working his way up through the company. Following a change in ownership in 1975, Ian and Paul became equal partners in what became TMC Trailers Ltd. Paul took charge of day-to-day operations, running the workshop and personally designing trailers—often at home in the evenings, long before the days of CAD software.
Under Paul’s leadership, TMC moved into a purpose-built facility in Shand's Road, Hornby in 1985 and achieved a number of key milestones. These included building New Zealand’s first Gull Wing truck and trailer unit in 1988, manufacturing the 1000th trailer for Transport Nelson Ltd, winning a national award for trailer design, and securing the exclusive rights to manufacture and service Steelbro sidelifters across NZ and the South Pacific. In 2017, Paul was awarded honorary lifetime membership to the TTMF in recognition of his contributions to the industry.
In 1996, Paul’s son Richard Currie joined the company, representing the third generation of Currie leadership. With a background in commercial roles across fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, Richard brought a fresh perspective to the business, combining strategic thinking with a strong operational focus.
Recognising the need to evolve with a changing industry, Richard led a transformation in how TMC operated—introducing more structured systems, strengthening the customer service model, and investing in product development and technology.
A major part of Richard’s impact was geographic expansion. Under his leadership, TMC moved from being a Canterbury-based operation to a truly national business. This included the opening of a dedicated service centre in Auckland in 2015, followed by further expansion into the Waikato with the establishment of a Hamilton facility in 2020. These locations were strategically chosen to better service key freight corridors and bring TMC’s expertise closer to its growing customer base.
Today, TMC remains proudly family owned and operated. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, the company continues to lead New Zealand’s trailer manufacturing industry through innovation, quality craftsmanship, and long-standing customer partnerships—just as Ian Currie envisioned over 77 years ago.
The story of Ian’s engineering origins demonstrates his early passion for anything mechanical. Having first served as a mechanic with the New Zealand Scottish regiment in Guadalcanal and Bougainville, his service involved retrieving crashed American aircraft.
They were then stripped for parts and re-engineered to keep the New Zealand aircraft flying in battle. Ian’s team were supplied with an American tractor unit, which was hooked up to a transporter – the first he and most other New Zealanders had ever seen in any detail up close.
Ian’s experience during the war taught him about the load capabilities and efficiencies of a truck and trailer combination; it not only changed his life, but subsequently that of the New Zealand trailer building industry. The earliest trailers built by Ian were some of the very first transport trailers used on New Zealand roads.
In 1973, Ian’s son Paul Currie joined the business, starting out on the factory floor and working his way up through the company. Following a change in ownership in 1975, Ian and Paul became equal partners in what became TMC Trailers Ltd. Paul took charge of day-to-day operations, running the workshop and personally designing trailers—often at home in the evenings, long before the days of CAD software.
Under Paul’s leadership, TMC moved into a purpose-built facility in Shand's Road, Hornby in 1985 and achieved a number of key milestones. These included building New Zealand’s first Gull Wing truck and trailer unit in 1988, manufacturing the 1000th trailer for Transport Nelson Ltd, winning a national award for trailer design, and securing the exclusive rights to manufacture and service Steelbro sidelifters across NZ and the South Pacific. In 2017, Paul was awarded honorary lifetime membership to the TTMF in recognition of his contributions to the industry.
In 1996, Paul’s son Richard Currie joined the company, representing the third generation of Currie leadership. With a background in commercial roles across fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, Richard brought a fresh perspective to the business, combining strategic thinking with a strong operational focus.
Recognising the need to evolve with a changing industry, Richard led a transformation in how TMC operated—introducing more structured systems, strengthening the customer service model, and investing in product development and technology.
A major part of Richard’s impact was geographic expansion. Under his leadership, TMC moved from being a Canterbury-based operation to a truly national business. This included the opening of a dedicated service centre in Auckland in 2015, followed by further expansion into the Waikato with the establishment of a Hamilton facility in 2020. These locations were strategically chosen to better service key freight corridors and bring TMC’s expertise closer to its growing customer base.
Today, TMC remains proudly family owned and operated. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, the company continues to lead New Zealand’s trailer manufacturing industry through innovation, quality craftsmanship, and long-standing customer partnerships—just as Ian Currie envisioned over 77 years ago.
