Walk into the spotless modern premises of RPM International Tool & Die and you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was a new business. The ‘start-up’ energy of the comparatively young team, the calibre of the tool designers and toolmakers, the advanced machinery and electronic programming all point to a recent entrant into the engineering industry.

How is RPM still at the cutting edge of tool making after three decades in the trenches?

“We’re in a unique position” explains Manufacturing Director, Aaron Dwight, “Because toolmaking technology keeps evolving and our clients continue to invent new products, nothing stands still. In a way, being tool makers means that we need to stay at the technological forefront of every industry’s latest requirements.”

From sturdy beginnings in Glenfield in the glamorous mid-eighties, when the workshop was fairly bristling with moustaches and mullets, to the sleek face of RPM today, quality and precision have been consistent foundations of the business.

“We’re fastidious about excellence” says Sales & Marketing Director Mark Vincent. “No project goes out the door unless we know we’ve done our utmost. We’ve got incredible people working in all aspects of the organisation, from tool design and CAM modelling to machine programming and operators, we believe our people are the best in the business.”

Over time, increasing cost pressures from tool makers in China led to changes within the RPM business model to ensure competitiveness while retaining unimpeachable quality. RPM developed their lean manufacturing processes and a continually evolving technology focus, involving advances such as CAM design, CNC machining, and offline vs shop-floor programming. The ISO quality standards and the quality of materials remained sacrosanct, with RPM using only European grade tooling materials.

Dealing with global markets as well as local New Zealand and Australian customers means RPM must always flex with the winds of international currency rates. As international business orders peak and slow, determined by a mix of the NZ dollar rate and the demand for high level expertise, RPM also provides a reliable tooling design and manufacture service to New Zealand companies. However local manufacturers and producers are also impacted by the international currency rate and with clients across a wide range of industries, RPM can be viewed as a reliable barometer for the NZ economy.

Production Director Peter Smith comments “We’ve been through market slumps and international booms. Regardless, there is always a requirement for high grade tooling and with our facilities, technology and fantastic people, we’re here to deliver. RPM is a constant adventure and we’re planning to continue providing injection moulding, stamping and unique custom tool design for a long time yet!”

Thirty years on, RPM International Tool & Die is still a business driven by the future.

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