About us

Who we are About us

ARA Manufacture is New Zealand’s leading designer and manufacturer of commercial and industrial doors, shutters, curtains, and docks. With more than 60 years of innovative product development and outstanding client service, our in-house team design, manufacture, install and service door and opening solutions for clients in retail, manufacturing, food processing, transport, infrastructure, sporting, entertainment, and government.

Managers

Sales & Project
Managers

Engineers

staff
nationally

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ABOUT US

Our History

Originally established in Auckland in 1954 as Rookwood Engineering, Metalbilt (operating as ARA Manufacture) is today New Zealand’s leading designer and manufacturer of commercial and industrial doors. Here’s a brief look at our long history with each business association contributing to ARA Manufactures reputation for quality, innovation and customisable capacity.

Timeline

1954

Roller shutter manufacturer Rookwood Engineering is established in Auckland.

1969

Wormald purchases Rookwood and renames it Wormald Metalbilt.

1986

Factory relocates to Avondale.

1988

US company Tyco purchases Wormald.

1990

Management buyout Metalbilt from Tyco.

1992

Metalbilt acquires Danks Bros Roller Doors which was established in 1928.

1997

Tyco repurchases Metalbilt and Danks.

2006

Norfolk Group purchases Metalbilt and Danks.

2013

RCR Tomlinson purchases Norfolk Group. Metalbilt and Danks becomes an operating business unit of RCR.

2019

Australian employee-owned company the ARA Group purchases Metalbilt and Danks after RCR Tomlinson goes into voluntary administration in 2018.

Meet OUR team

Our people

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Paul Hancock

General Manager

Paul joined Metalbilt in July 2020 and has held many senior management roles in the facilities maintenance, security and industrial coatings industries. After introducing new Metalbilt products, Paul became General Manager in July 2021. His key focus is to grow Metalbilt, retain clients and improve production rates and quality.

Ian Balt

Regional Manager – Wellington

Ian joined Metalbilt in August 2021 after a 17 year career in various senior management roles within the manufacturing and electrical industries. Ian’s main driver is working to achieve an excellent customer experience and supporting the future growth of the business and customers alike.

Paul Brinkman

Engineering Manager

Many architects and specifiers know Paul as Metalbilt’s dedicated technical resource. Paul’s expertise has developed over 20 years with the business. Thanks to Paul, our technical knowledge continues to expand to keep up with the changing requirements of the industry.

Shirley Woods

Regional Manager – South Island

Shirley Joined Metalbilt in 2010 as a Contract Coordinator before quickly progressing to Project Management. She has maintained some large complex projects during her time at Metalbilt covering all product ranges. Shirley is a qualified Architectural Designer (Dip Arch Design) and has worked at a number of well-known Architectural practices both in New Zealand and the UK. This plays a big role in her knowledge of product quality and expectations in the industry.

Laurie Cook

Regional Sales Manager – Wellington

Since joining Metalbilt in 1999, Laurie has covered the lower half of the North Island, where we have a number of highly professional agents. He has experience with the full range of Metalbilt products and has been involved in many of the regions construction projects over that time. Maintaining close relationships with customers is key to Laurie’s approach to the industry.

William Hall

Auckland Sales and Service Manager

Will is well known to many Auckland contractors, having worked for Metalbilt since 2005 in various sales related capacities. He has first-hand experience of many of the sites constructed over this period, giving him invaluable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Will has an engineering background in the UK and South Africa in both small scale and large industrial complexes.

Phil Nelson

Regional Operations Manager – South Island

Phil joined Metalbilt in 2008 after a career in automotive engineering. For almost 10 years, Phil was a Metalbilt technician installing and repairing products. With a strength in problem solving, Phil took on the role of Service Project Manager and continued to build our client and sub-contractor relations. Now Operations Manager for Te Waipounamu/South Island, Phil is responsible for providing technical support as well as overseeing our Christchurch production facility. He continues to focus on our client and sub-contractor relations.

Mark Brookes

Business Manager – Architectural Products

Mark returned to corporate life joining Metalbilt in November 2023 after 14 years owning and operating a small manufacturing business here in Auckland. Prior to this Mark held senior roles as Country Manager and Pacific Regional Manager for large US and Australian Corporates. Mark brings a strong passion for leadership and a key focus on business growth.