Although it sounds unlikely, the birth of Trimax Mowing Systems had a lot to do with brown furry fruit. Modern kiwifruit production was pioneered in New Zealand in the 1970’s and the Bay of Plenty region, where Trimax began, was the centre of activity. The area underwent a complete transformation in a decade. Large areas of cow pasture became kiwifruit orchards almost overnight and numerous businesses, big and small, competed to service the new industry. Among them were many small engineering enterprises that manufactured tractor-mounted mowers to cut the grass beneath the kiwifruit vines. Three of these businesses eventually combined to become Trimax Mowing Systems.

Meanwhile, another business in Wellington made sliding hooks for meat processing plants. Part owner Bob Sievwright had trained in product engineering with General Motors in New Zealand and at the General Motors University in Flint, Michigan. Mower manufacturers needed blades for their machines and Bob’s company was happy to supply anything they asked for. But Bob had a better idea and produced a new type of flail for mowers and shredders. Looking for more challenges, he decided to buy one of the leading mower makers and build a better machine.

The deal was all but through when his plans literally went up in smoke. Fire destroyed the plant! Undeterred, Bob secured the manufacturing rights and bought another mower-making shop so he could carry on. The new mowers and shredders fitted with his revolutionary GammaFlails™ blades were an outstanding success. Trimax mowers were born.

Jim McEwen was the owner of the third small engineering enterprise. He had developed a range of advanced low-profile, multi-spindled rotary mowers called ProCut. When Bob wanted to add rotary mowers to his range of flail mower and shredders, he purchased the ProCut company. In doing so, he bought more than a rotary mower range, he also secured Jim’s services. Jim’s unique talent for blending style into functional mechanical devices heralded a new era for Trimax.