Inaugural Meeting
History
1957 - Inaugural Meeting
On the 14th February 1957, a small group of men gathered in Wellington to form a Federation that could wield some strength in representation of Truck-Trailer Manufacturers to Government, to further some standardisation with componentry and possibly generate some buying power.
The Guardians
A major concern of the day was the imported trailers that didn’t meet local regulations in terms of width, length and braking efficiency. A perennial problem that we still face today. Those men represented some of the biggest builders of the day. Some of them are still represented by a later generation today. There were other builders then, who never joined the Federation. But these ten men forged an empire.
Ridin' the Rainbow
In 2004, the NZ Truck Trailer Manufacturers Federation commissioned writer, Mike Isle, to write an historic record of the truck trailer manufacturing industry in NZ. In researching our history, the book became more about the people than the trailers - Men and Women who built an Industry. It makes sense to share the pages of the book, Ridin' the Rainbow, when talking about our history.
In the Blood
In 2024, we released our second book - In the Blood. This book reflects on the next generation - a new breed of trailer builder, and how they have overcome, and in the most part, flourished, during 20 years of some momentous and potentially debilitating events – the Global Financial Crisis, Covid, earthquakes and cyclones.
Life Members
The NZ Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation was built and nurtured by people who had a passion for their work and their industry. Life membership is awarded to those individuals who have have contributed to our Federation and the trailer building industry for many years and who have inspired a number of the innovations and designs we have today.
NZ Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation
Membership & administration:
Emma Godwin
Ph 027 864 2809
admin@ttmf.org.nz
Technical & industry engagement:
Kate Bucknell
Ph 021 917 506
chair@ttmf.org.nz
