1969

Lynn River was founded by brothers John and Mark Acland on Mt Peel high country station, at the base of the Rangitata Gorge in South Canterbury.

The company’s early reputation was built on cattle ear tags. At the time in New Zealand there was strong demand for a humane alternative to rigid ear tags. While holidaying in Colorado in 1969, Mark happened upon the Lone Star flexible ear tag. He then discovered another tag invented by cattle rancher and inventor Gene Ritchey. A flexible tag that didn’t irritate the animal, it was a huge breakthrough in cattle identification.

John and Mark secured New Zealand distribution rights for the Ritchey ear tag. To overcome import bureaucracy they decided to make the tags themselves, which created a wonderful employment opportunity for the shepherd’s wives on Mt Peel station. By the end of 1970 Lynn River had sold over a million tags, all dispatched from a modest shearers’ quarters and distributed around New Zealand via the local Post Office.

1975

With business growing at a rapid pace, John and Mark needed a larger site. They purchased 162 Talbot Street in Geraldine and work began on the original offices and factory, which is still used to this day.

Recognising that sales of Ritchey ear tag had peaked, John and Mark decided to expand into different markets. They began making sheepskin car seat covers under contract for G.L.Bowron Ltd, which continued until 1980.

1980

This was the year that Lynn River began manufacturing lambskin gloves. Over the next 5 years, hand stitched lambskin gloves developed into a significant business and a wider range of garments was also developed. However while sales were extremely good, the hand made nature of the products left little room for profit.

1984

With acquisition of an Invercargill based company, Lynn River was able to enter the industrial glove market, a move which further expanded Lynn River’s glove portfolio and protective clothing catalogue.

1988

1988 was a pivotal year for Lynn River and paved the way for future success. The decision was made to start importing industrial gloves to support their manufactured range.

The first builders’ aprons, nail bags and saw bags were produced at Lynn River following an enquiry from a frustrated branch of John Edmonds who was unable to source “a really decent nail bag”. Following an expedited product development process these products were produced carrying the legendary Lynn River Seal of Quality.

Production also began on a range of PVC butcher’s aprons, which remain a strong seller today.

1990’s

This decade saw significant sales growth for Lynn River, led in particular by the introduction of the Showa glove range. Showa is one of the largest manufacturers of safety gloves in the world and boasts a proud heritage of comfort and innovation. Lynn River was one of Showa’s first export customers and this partnership continues to flourish almost 30 years since it began.

With a new emphasis on providing trusted safety solutions to the meat, food and fish processing , Lynn River was gaining momentum as ‘The Glove Professionals’.

1998

Lynn River expanded their facilities with a new warehouse and updated offices, which were opened by the Prime Minister at the time, the honorable Jenny Shipley.

2006

With a solid grasp on the New Zealand glove market, Lynn River solidified its Australian presence by hiring Sydney based employees to handle sales and stock “over the ditch”.

2011

Following research from our loyal customers, Lynn River decided to extend its range of safety products from hand protection to a comprehensive range of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including safety eyewear, respiratory protection, hearing protection, sun protection, safety clothing and safety signage.

The national launch of the extended PPE range coincided with the major earthquakes in Christchurch. Lynn River products were tested in some of the harshest conditions witnessed in New Zealand in the last century – and came through with flying colours.

2018

Lynn River acquired High Street Stitch & Print. This latest venture adds capability to supply branded safety workwear, drawing on in-house design, screenprinting, embroidery and heat transfer services to deliver cost effective solutions regardless of job size.