LINKS

DiBro is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated company incorporated in 1965.

The original DiBro Ltd was formed in Liverpool, England by Managing Director John Dickinson and his two older brothers in 1946 as a manufacturing and general light engineering company. Emphasis soon swung to plastics moulding of toys and custom manufacturing of components. John Dickinson and family emigrated to New Zealand and started up the operation in Wellington in 1965. An interest in the U.K. operation is still maintained as well as associate companies in Australia and Hong Kong. A more detailed look at pre-war and wartime activities in Liverpool is available here.

Early production in NZ was of toys, Christmas Decorations, coffin furniture and custom plastics manufacturing and vacuum metallising (a finish on plastics similar to Chrome Plating). The lifting of import tariffs through the mid 1980s led to mass importation of cheap Asian goods in these fields and forced a rationalisation of the operation and diversification, after company closure was narrowly averted. The Company now has two main areas of interest, aside from custom plastics moulding. 

1)     In 1986 a successful tender for the then Ministry of Education led to the company being appointed official supplier of newly invented B.S.M. (Beginners School Mathematics i.e. Junior Maths) education equipment to New Zealand Schools. Products run form wooden education aids to plastic shape and colour attributes and electronic devices, including computers and calculators. DiBro is still the only company to actually make Maths equipment and supply to all wholesalers/dealers. A database of nearly 4000 Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Pre-School institutions is maintained.

2)      In 1987, friendship with a Wairararapa orchardist who had problems with tying apple trees led to the development of a tree tie for commercial growers who use a wire trellis system to support trees. This tie is seen as the best on the market and is now exported to America, Europe, Australia and South Africa and prompted the company to investigate the whole area of tree tying and training. An association is maintained with a company in Holland in a 2-way relationship. A range of 12 main products are now carried of which 6 are exported, plus we have export agencies for 3 local manufacturing companies in the Horticultural sector. Continuous R & D on Tree Ties, trainers and Irrigation products means a stream of new lines for commercial Fruit, vegetable, tomato and Grape growers. 

The purchase in 2004 of 2 150 Tonne Dong Shin moulding machines increased the company’s plastic moulding capacity to a shot weight of over 12 ounces (336 grammes). This increased capacity enhances custom moulding and our own new product development in the Educational and Horticultural fields. The company is committed to continuous product development and quality control. Specialised tool-makers are employed using the latest Computer technology (CAD/CAM) for mould design and modelling to ensure the highest quality moulds and finished parts.

A policy of recycling operates for materials and even machinery cooling water is re-circulated through a series of radiators.

A total complement of 5 permanent staff (after a maximum in the mid 20s during the early 1980s) reflects the current ‘lean and mean’ attitude to business in the current climate. Other, part-time, staff are also available. 

Hope to speak to you soon. 

Mike Dickinson