Cyclone

Cyclone has played a unique role in the development in the success of rural New Zealand.

Established in Christchurch in 1903, by James Ower, Cyclone is the God father of the New Zealand farm fencing industry.

In 1925 Cyclone imported a Tightlock machine from Canada to manufacture sheep netting. The Tightlock machine became very important to Cyclone as it was on a Tightlock machine the first deer fence in the world was developed in 1967.

Tightlock Deer fence quickly became the industry standard as the popularity of deer farming grew around the world so did Cyclone NZ reputation for producing the premier deer fence.

In the 1970’s Cyclone gained the rights the manufacture the Tightlock machine.
A joint venture with a UK company, McArthur, (McArthur Cyclone) was set up to manufacture Tightlock in Newcastle to service the European markets.
The North American, South American and Canadian market were service from New Zealand.

In 1985 Cyclone expanded its operation by purchasing Eclipse Wire and fencing company based in Manawatu and Ernest Hayes, the prestige fencing tool manufacturer.

In 1986 the fence manufacturing industry went through change. The trade barriers were eased allowing for the importation of fencing wire. The share market collapse resulted in Cyclone being sold in 1988 to Fletcher Challenge who merged Cyclone with New Zealand Wire Industries and PKR to form Wiremakers.

Wiremakers retained Cyclone as a brand for its deer and sheep netting and staples.
Fencing coils were sold under the brand of Wiremakers
In the mid 1990’s the bulk wire and wire coil products manufacturing was separated from the fencing products manufacturing and renamed Pacific Wire. Fencing products manufacturing  remained as Cyclone.

In 2001 Trutest tool over ownership of Cyclone only to sell Cyclone manufacturing back to Fletcher building in 2004. Trutest retained the gate manufacturing plant and the Hayes fencing tool range.

Today Cyclone is a division of Fletcher Easysteel.

Cyclone is proud to use New Zealand manufacture zinc/aluminium coated wire in its product range, which includes 2 Life and 4 Life fencing wire, Tightlock and Twinlock netting, staples and fencing tools.