Innovative Aristocrats Around the Globe
Recognised as one of Waikato’s most successful businesses for over 70 years, Gallagher has always maintained a strong foothold in the agricultural sector. But with new opportunities in the global security market and continued recognition of the company’s technology, Gallagher is preparing itself for future growth.
The Gallagher story began in the 1930's when Bill Gallagher Senior used his ingenuity to develop practical mechanical solutions for an underdeveloped farm. When Joe the Horse used the family car as a scratching post the horse could not have known what his annoying habit would lead to and it’s unlikely that Bill could visualise his pioneering future when he set up the electric circuit charging the car to break the horse's habit.
Not surprisingly, the company and its award winning technology have grown significantly from the first electric fence energizer. Gallagher’s head office and manufacturing plant in Waikato employs around 700 people on site with another 400 staff globally delivering animal management, security and fuel solutions.
Gallagher’s integrated security systems are used to protect some of the most sensitive sites and facilities around the world including mining sites, correctional facilities and tertiary institutes. The Animal Management division provides state of the art, high quality electric fence systems to over 130 countries as well as world leading weighing & electronic identification systems designed to improve farm and livestock performance.
To support the company’s expanding portfolio, Gallagher employs a range of expertise globally including dedicated business development teams for each region, an in-house marketing and communications team with full print house operation and an extensive team of research and development capabilities. R&D plays a major role in the growth of the organization and Gallagher’s commitment to this aspect is frequently acknowledged through industry awards such as the 2010 NZTE International Business Awards. The NZ Government is also committed to the development of high-tech export businesses with the recent investment of $92 million over three years on business R&D through the new Technology Development Grant programme – when the investment was announced Gallagher was on the recipients list.
CEO and Chairman, Sir William Gallagher explains “The significant investment in R&D ensures we maintain a competitive advantage in the access control, perimeter security and animal management systems market and this is represented by over 160 patents worldwide.”
Understandably, Sir William speaks highly of the company’s R&D team and their capabilities. “We focus on the customer’s needs and wants to inspire and inform our designs. We have an intimate understanding of our customers and partners, and this insight partnered with our design capability enables us to redefine what’s possible for our customers.”
But the company’s strength’s aren’t limited to research and development as the whole organization has the ability to leverage the competencies and resources from all divisions within the group. Gallagher’s in-house resources for tool making, plastics and electronics manufacturing and logistics mean that production can be controlled end to end from concept design to manufacturing. The obvious benefits include quality control, rapid development and deployment to manufacture, and the ability to produce economic short runs as well as large production capability. All of this is centrally managed on the 22,528 sq feet container park and 29,000 sq feet warehouse on the Hamilton site.
A well known factor in the company’s success to date is its ability to recruit committed staff who embrace the Gallagher philosophy of redefining what’s possible for the customer. Corporate Services Executive, Margaret Comer, plays a lead role in recruitment for the company and she knows selecting the right people for the company is vital. “Our staff play a huge role in the success of the company’s growth and they are key to our future opportunities - they show everyone how we do it the Gallagher way.”
She explains, "Gallagher people make an impact, they stand out, they develop followers and go on to achieve great things all because they have a purpose to what they are doing each day."
“We’re all here to redefine what’s possible for our customers, no matter which of our business units or central resource departments we work in – we have a team with a clearly defined passion and a desire to share this passion with others. I believe these attributes are what attracts other potential candidates to the company. People see the career opportunities at Gallagher; they know what they can bring to the company and ultimately they want to be part of our brand.”