Wurth New Zealand Company Timeline

Head Office


  • 1987
    • The decision is made by the Würth Group management to commence operations in New Zealand. Peter Zürn, then Managing Director of Würth Australia, and Hans Sigrist, a member of the Koord Conference, are sent to New Zealand recruit a Managing Director.
  • 1988
    • Bob Hulme is hired in late 1987 and with the assistance of Peter Zürn commences setting up the Company for operations. The Group invests $500,000 in capital, an internal employee is hired and stock ordered from Germany.
    • Bob commenced selling in April 1988 with sales for the month of $204. During the year two sales representatives were employed and the Company ended the year with total sales of $165,485 and an operating loss of $101,125.
  • 1989
    • A further three sales representatives and another internal employee are hired during the year. Sales increase to $797,057 with an operating loss of $174,676.
  • 1990
    • Another year of expansion by multiplication with four more sales representatives are added to the sales force and two employees added to the internal staff. A “new” Nixdorf computer and software were purchased from Würth Australia.
    • The Company capital is increased by $200,000 to $700,000. Sales almost double reaching $1.46 million and further investment in expansion results in an operating loss of $190,685.
    • Another year of expansion by multiplication with four more sales representatives are added to the sales force and two employees added to the internal staff. A “new” Nixdorf computer and software were purchased from Würth Australia.
    • The Company capital is increased by $200,000 to $700,000. Sales almost double reaching $1.46 million and further investment in expansion results in an operating loss of $190,685.
  • 1991
    • 1991 is a year of consolidation with only one addition to the sales force and one added to the internal staff.
    • The Company capital is increased again to $1.25 million. Sales increased slightly to $1.61 million and the operating loss was reduced to less than $40,000.
  • 1992
    • Another year of consolidation with only one added to the sales force.
    • Sales increased by 20% to $1.96 million and finally an operating surplus of just under $35,000.
  • 1993
    • Another two sales representatives are hired with no change in internal employees.
    • Sales increase almost 30% to $2.58 million and the operating almost trebled to $95,000
  • 1994
    • The sales force was increased by 6 during 1994, including a Sales Manager and two were added to the internal staff, including a fully qualified accountant and a warehouse supervisor.
    • The $3.32 million sales, was a 20% increase over 1993 and operating result trebled to $289,000.
  • 1995
    • A year of consolidation with only two representatives hired but still another year with plus 20% growth in sales. A move to new premises relieves the pressures of operating from three units. The company also tests the Division Metal market with the start up of this division.
    • Sales of $4.23 million and the operating result fall just short of $400,000.
  • 1996
    • The company makes another change to its computer software, using MSP/A and Solomon IV for Windows. Four more representatives were added to the sales force and two internal staff, including an IT specialist.
    • Growth in sales falls below 10% for the first time in the company’s history and the operating result is lower than last year at $305,000.
  • 1997
    • 1997 was not a good year in the company’s history. Five more sales representatives joined the sales force and there was a major change to the sales force structure, with the sales manager position being replaced with three area managers.
    • Sales were less than 1996 at $4.59 million and the operating result fell to $101,000
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  • 1998
    • Wurth New Zealand celebrates 10 years in business with an anniversary function held at the Chateau, Mt Ruapehu. Special guests include, Peter Zürn, Hans Sigrist, Eric Jubner and Marcus Woefle.
    • The founding Managing Director, Bob Hulme resigns suddenly in August. Don Cortesi, the Finance Manager looks after the company until a new Managing Director is found.
    • Sales are again down slightly at $4.56 million and company made a small operating loss of $56,000.
  • 1999
    • Dr Thomas Pascoletti takes control of the company and makes plenty of changes. Areas are reorganised, remuneration packages are altered and the corporate culture is modified. Many of the old guard are unable to deal with the rapid changes and staff turnover increases.
    • There is sales growth again, 3.9% increase to $4.74 million. Profit is also there with an operating result of just over $164,000. 42 people are now employed by the company
  • 2000
    • The changes made last year continue to make a difference. Sales increase 15.6% to $5.48 million and operating result is over $250,000. Employee numbers increase by 2 to 44, 31 sales consultants and 13 internal staff.
    • Key accounts are introduced this year
  • .
  • 2001
    • Another year of 15% + growth to sales of $6.35million. Operating result does not show the same increase however and only increases to just over $295,000. 3 more employees this year making a total of 47,34 sales consultants and 13 internal staff.
    • September 11 affected everyone and sales slowed during the last few months of the year.
  • 2002
    • The company managed a 10.6% growth in sales to $7.02million. A slow start to the year with everyone still feeling the effects of September 11 but momentum increased in the latter half of the year and finished with a 28.8% increase in December.
    • However, operating result was a little disappointing at just under $320,000. This was result of increased multiplication of the sales force and increasing personnel cost for sales consultants. 8 new employees this year taking the total to 55, 42 sales consultants and 13 internal staff.
    • Don Cortesi and Brendan McCann are made joint Managing Director’s when Dr Pascoletti returns to Germany in June.
  • 2003
    • 10% growth again this year to $7.7 million with a similar operating result to 2002 of $330,000. 6 more employees this year, total is now 61, 46 sales consultants and 15 internal staff.
    • The remuneration system is simplified, a retainer, 10% commission and 3% target bonus.
    • The company celebrates 15 years in business with a party for all the staff at the Hilton in Auckland. Staff and partners experience the five star service of this unique hotel.
  • 2004
    • Sales grow to $8.9 million 15%+ growth over 2003 and operating result increases dramatically to over $500,000. 66 staff members this year, 5 more than 2003, 50 sales consultants and 16 internal staff.
    • A small change to the remuneration system again this year. The commission percentage is now variable depending on profitability, for most sales consultants this meant a pay increase.
  • 2005
    • A milestone year for the Company, $1 million sales in one month and more than $10 million sales for the year, with growth over 2004 of almost 17%. The operating result also reaches new heights at $628,000. The addition of six employees this year. Making 72 in total. 55 sales consultants and 17 internal staff.
    • Staff celebrates the achievement with a party, held at the Oram Marine complex at the Viaduct and dressed as their favorite Hollywood star.
  • 2006
    • Sales go through the $11 million mark, with 8% growth over 2005. Operating result increases again to $735,000. Staff increase, by another 6 employees taking the Company to 78 in total.
    • Christmas celebrations this year were held at Villa Maria Estate. Silver honour pins were awarded to Linda Poharama, Jim Lockwood and Ricky Bright, Gold honour pins were awarded to Gilbert Bankier and Wayne Shields. Brendan McCann was also fare welled with him returning to Australia after 4 years as co Managing Director
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  • 2007
    • Jim Lockwood (Auto/Cargo) Dave Robinson (Metal) Division Managers and Scott Penny as Marketing Manager
    • Company grows at 11.8% Auto 7.4% and Metal 37.3%
    • November saw a new monthly sales record of $1,230,943 and $12,276,294 turnover for the year.
  • 2008
    • Companies 20th anniversary held in Queenstown with Fuko Member Hans Sigrist attending.
    • Company grows at 9.7% Auto 5.7% and Metal 26.7%
    • July saw a new company record of $1,281,667 and annual turnover of $13,425,389.
  • 2009
    • A hard year for everyone as the recession hits. Company has negative growth of -3.3% Auto -4.8% and Metal with + growth of 3.9%
    • Annual turnover of $12,980,264
  • 2010 current
    • Back to Growth is the catch word for 2010.
    • March sees the appointment of Danny Scott from Wurth Australia as co-managing director alongside Don Cortesi.
    • August and Don Cortesi appointed chief financial officer for Australia and New Zealand.
    • Danny Scott is sole managing director of Wurth New Zealand,
    • August saw a new monthly sales record of $1,355,188
    • New platforms are in place Construction division launched and a specialist key accounts position.