In 1982, a driven and innovative engineer called Danny Ryan established Ryan Manufacturing Limited at Higgins Road in Hamilton. RML was born, and in the early years the focus was on pneumatics and metal machining working.
During the 1990’s, RML began manufacturing spray nozzles and components for Tom McClunie and John Birch of McClunie Birch Limited (MBL).
RML moved to Greenwood St and evolved into more programmable engineering with an increased focus on machine building. Component manufacturing remained vital as the company produced brake discs for the NZ Air Force and helped revolutionise the now blooming dairy industry with innovative CIP Spray Nozzles.
By the mid 90’s the company had moved into our current Norris Avenue HQ. The designers relocated upstairs, and they moved away from Omron control systems to more sophisticated Allen Bradley hardware and this relationship is still active today.
Seeing the huge potential for growth, MBL partnered to buy a 50% stake in the growing company in 1997. RML ramped up their design capability as a result.
In 1998, RML completed its first Case Packer machine – a bottom loader for Anchor Waitoa, packing a range of retail cheeses. As of 2022, we have over 80 case packers varying in sizes, shapes and speeds all over Australasia.
The company structure changed again when MBL was sold to Downer Engineering, MBL’s stake in RML was sold to Larry Greene, Tom McClunie and Geoff Wilson. In 2001, we completed a pivotal build for Bega Cheese with a breakthrough ultrasonic cheese cutter machine.
In 2002, the first robotic packing system was built for Sanitarium, packing Cornflakes and Ricies.
Danny Ryan exited, and a new era commenced under the leadership of Larry Greene and Peter Botting. Peter had set up the Australian operation. This period saw an increased design focus, more engineering freedom, diversification and complexity of products and the introduction of AGV’s in 2005.
By this time, RML had well and truly broken into the big brand world of FMCG factory automation.
We added Fonterra to the list when they commissioned seven cheese and butter packing machines.
RML expanded into India in 2011 when the Bector Family bought out Peter Botting’s stake to form Bector Automation RML (BAR) in Pune India.
Australia Sugar was introduced to the RML customer family as they built three automated wraparound case packers with integrated ABB six-axis robots.
Daryl Joyce became COO in 2017 and moved into the CEO role in 2019. Repeat business from large FMCG brands combined with dairy industry expertise was keeping the order books full.
RML restructures with RML Engineering now the group holding company. RML Machinery Ltd in NZ looks after New Zealand customer sales, design, engineering, manufacturing, and production. Our channel partner in Australia, ICON Equipment, provides Australian customers with sales, service and support.
2022 saw a more strategic push into Australia alongside ICON Equipment.
Our focus on product, component and module development is allowing faster project deliveries. While the complexity of our solutions is also increasing with six out of our last eight projects incorporating Robots with integrated vision systems.
Relocation to 6 Chafer Place, Hamilton. A purpose-built facility that represented a significant milestone in our growth and development. Also, it supported our commitment to continue elevating our manufacturing capabilities and enabled us to meet increased customer demand.
6 Chafer Place,
Burbush, Hamilton 3200
13-17 Hillwin St,
Reservoir VIC 3073
