Company Structure
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In 1982 a driven and innovative engineer called Danny Ryan established Ryan Manufacturing Limited at Higgins Road in Hamilton. RML was born, and in the early years the focus was on pneumatics and metal machining working.
Evolution of our Engineering
Danny Ryan had a strict operating approach and wanted his engineers to adopt a ‘Ferrari’ workbench style – a place for everything and everything in its place. RML early component manufacturing was supporting the Pneumax brand.
1990’s
Company Structure
During the 1990’s RML began manufacturing spray nozzles and components for Tom McClunie and John Birch of McClunie Birch Limited (MBL). Seeing huge potential for growth, MBL partnered to buy a 50% stake in the growing company in 1997. RML ramped up their design capability
During the 1990’s RML began manufacturing spray nozzles and components for Tom McClunie and John Birch of McClunie Birch Limited (MBL). Seeing huge potential for growth, MBL partnered to buy a 50% stake in the growing company in 1997. RML ramped
1990’s
Evolution of our Engineering
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1991 saw RML move to Greenwood Street, the company had evolved into more programmable engineering with an increased focus on machine building. Component manufacturing remained vital as the company produced brake discs for the NZ Air Force.
The booming dairy industry was to become ever more vital to the long-term fortunes of RML as innovations from McClunie Birch Limited (MBL) like CIP Spray Nozzles for ‘Stork’ spray driers revolutionised processing.
2001
Company Structure
In 2001 the company structure took another turn when MBL was sold to Downer Engineering. MBL’s stake in RML was sold to Larry Greene, Tom McClunie and Geoff Wilson.
In 2001 the company structure took another turn when MBL was sold to Downer
Mid 1990's
Evolution of our Engineering
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By the mid 90’s the company had moved into our current Norris Avenue HQ. The designers relocated upstairs, and they moved away from Omron control systems to more sophisticated Allen Bradley hardware and this relationship is still active today.
We have now also introduced Beckhoff control systems to our platforms.
2005
Company Structure
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This partnership continued until 2005 when Danny Ryan exited, and a new era commenced under the leadership of Larry Greene and Peter Botting. Peter had set up the Australian operation in 2005 and became company CEO in 2007.
Key shareholders included Ross Townshend, Keith McCracken, Tim Parker, and Dean Peterkin. This period saw an increased design focus, more engineering freedom, diversification and complexity of products and the introduction of AGV’s in 2005.
Late 1990s
Evolution of our Engineering
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In 1998 RML completed its first Case Packer machine – a bottom loader for Anchor Waitoa, packing a range of retail cheeses. As of 2022 we have over 80 case packers varying in sizes, shapes, and speeds all over Australasia.
By the 2000’s there had been a shift away from 2D AutoCAD design to the 3D SolidWorks platform which the team uses now.
Early 2000's
2006 - 2007
Company Structure
This period saw significant changes around processes. Individual business units for Projects, Design and Automation were created.
The company settled on a Technical Sales process moving towards the growing Automation and Design requirements of our customers. Operations became more structured as the company matured and was able to attract and retain top quality engineering talent.
Early 2000's
Evolution of our Engineering
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In 2001 we completed a pivotal build for Bega Cheese with a breakthrough ultrasonic cheese cutter machine.
In 2002 the first robotic packing system was built for Sanitarium, packing Cornflakes and Ricies.
2008 - 2009
Company Structure
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This was a boom time for RML and, after the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2011 when orders reduced, the company went on a strong commercial run which continues today.
This was a boom time for RML and, after the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2011 when orders reduced, the company went on a strong commercial run which continues today. This was a boom time for RML and, after the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2011This was a boom time for RML and, after the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2011
2004- 2005
Evolution of our Engineering
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Our first collator for Nestle left the factory and they remain a loyal customer today after many many projects.
In 2005 we configured our first Automated Guided Vehicle System. By this period, we had expanded our customer base and our offering to include Cartoning Machines, Custom Assembly, Palletising and Conveying Solutions: RML had well and truly broken into the big brand world of FMCG factory automation. Once these players had experienced the RML difference they were to return time and time again.
2011
Company Structure
RML expanded into India in 2011 when the Bector Family bought out Peter Botting’s stake to form Bector Automation RML (BAR) in Pune India.
RML expanded into India in 2011 when the Bector Family bought out Peter Botting’s
2006
Evolution of our Engineering
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In 2006 we added Fonterra to the list when they commissioned seven cheese and butter packing machines and they have been with us ever since. Dairy innovations like Goodman Fielder’s Pottle Packer went on to revolutionise our capability which included one of our own in house manufactured Delta robots.
2015 - 2020
Company Structure
Daryl Joyce became COO in 2017 and moved into the CEO role in 2019. Repeat business from large FMCG brands combined with dairy industry expertise was keeping the order books full.
2012
Evolution of our Engineering
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Australia Sugar was introduced to the RML customer family as they built three automated wraparound case packers with integrated ABB six-axis robots. New and upgraded machines are still working away tirelessly.
2020's
Company Structure
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RML has now been restructured: RML Machinery Ltd in New Zealand looks after New Zealand customer sales, design engineering, manufacturing, and production. Our channel partner in Australia, ICON Equipment, now provides our Australian customers with sales, service, and support. RML Engineering is now the group holding company.
In 2022 RML Machinery simplified the offering into 3 areas:
- Project sales – Machines, Robotics & Automation
- Product sales – Components & Jobbing
- Services – Machine servicing, support & spares
2022 will also see the start of a more strategic push into Australia alongside Icon Equipment
2023 and onwards is extremely positive with fresh customer projects coming in for multiple machine systems. Our focus on product, component and module development is allowing faster project deliveries. Our services offering continues to expand to support the ever-growing number of RML machines and components in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
2020's
Evolution of our Engineering
The first two years of the 20’s have seen a large number of repeat customers purchasing machinery once again from RML. Tip Top (Froneri), Tatua Dairy, Synlait, Rooftile Group, Moondarra, Don Smallgoods and Lactalis to name a few. We also had new customers joining the list being SNPshot, Romanos Foods, Tasman Bay Foods, Oceania Dairy, Comvita and Talley’s.
The complexity of our solutions is also increasing with six out of our last eight projects incorporating Robots with integrated vision systems to enable us to deliver the quality, flexibility and reliability that our customers require.
2022 will also see the start of a more strategic push into Australia alongside Icon Equipment
2023 and onwards is extremely positive with fresh customer projects coming in for multiple machine systems. Our focus on product, component and module development is allowing faster project deliveries. Our services offering continues to expand to support the ever-growing number of RML machines and components in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
