Our Story

 

Craig Kelly first encountered Harvestwear over two years ago when the company was up for sale, and he was immediately struck by its remarkable history and innovative spirit. 

Founded in 1985 by the Smith family in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, Harvestwear originally crafted bespoke harvesting equipment for their own vineyard and kiwifruit operations.

Despite its origins in the heart of New Zealand’s horticultural industry, Harvestwear eventually found its home in Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand. 

The company was located about as far away as you could get from the major growing hubs, yet, had earned a global reputation for pioneering designs in harvesting and pruning equipment around the world.

Seeing an opportunity, Craig, (CEO) brought Harvestwear back to Hawkes Bay and home again. 

The original bucket was made of aluminum.  It was so innovative and different at the time that every orchard in the region wanted one.

But, aluminum is not the most durable of materials so a plastic shelled bucket was designed.  While these old original buckets have long gone, this classic design of bucket can still be found in orchards all over New Zealand.

The range was extended to offer other types of picking bags and then leather pruning tool pouches. Always making something better, this philosophy of continuous improvement and quality can be found throughout the entire organization today.

No longer just helping out Kiwi orchardists, Australian growers also enjoy the benefits of Harvestwear as well as many others across UK and USA.  And there’s a many countries in between.

That shows how far things have come.