About Us

Learn about how we started,
what we do today & the people
that have been a part of this
great journey!

Smarter with Rata

Our Mission

Company mission: We design and manufacture attachments for caretakers of the land that need equipment with a high work ethic, endurability and aptitude to get the job done right.
 
 

Our Core Values

Service, Deliver and Teamwork
 
 

How we started

 
Back in the 80's we started to make front-end loader attachments  & also provided engineering services to other manufacturing companies in the area.
 
Loaders back then were a relatively new thing & not widespread like they are today. Very soon he got a name for making top quality loader attachments & doing top quality work, this meant he became so busy he had to stop farming & start manufacturing full time. The company took its name from the farm it was originally started on (Rata Park) & became known as Rata Industries to reflect the range of services it offered across the agricultural & industrial spectrum.
 
 

What we do today

 
Fast forward 30 odd years through the 90's, 2000's up to today. Now we are located in the agricultural heartland of Canterbury & have gone on to become New Zealand's leading brand of locally manufactured Tractor & Telehandler attachments. Over those years we also acquired a range of Cultivation & Aeration Equipment & the Vogal brand of fertiliser spreaders, of which we produce & distribute throughout a nationwide network of dealers.
 
Changes over the years have seen us develop & acquire our own vast range of agricultural equipment, this specific focus in the agricultural equipment sector has lead to our products become known as 'Rata Equipment' today.

 

Our People

Glenn Walton | Sales & Marketing Director

Glenn has been with the company since 1996, starting out in the engineering & fabrication side where he gained his extensive knowledge of farm machinery & equipment. A passion for sales & marketing has seen him lead this part of the business.

P: 021 220 9045

E: glennw@rataequipment.com 

Bronson Crick | Sales Australia

Coming from an engineering background, then into his own manufacturing facility, Bronson has joined the Rata team with enthusiastic passion for helping clients get their hands on some gear for the ground that is built to last. Heading up the Rata Australia facility in Ballarat, feel free to give him a call for some down to Earth advice.

P: 0400 627 073

E: bronsonc@rataequipment.com

 

Harvey Crick | Sales Representative Australia

After 7.5 years in his last career, Harvey found himself drawn to Rata's pioneering spirit and commitment to cutting-edge agricultural equipment. Harvey's transition to Rata embodies his steadfast dedication to advancing agricultural practices and embracing new opportunities for growth and impact in the industry he deeply values.

P: 0427 236 786

E: harveyc@rataequipment.com

Josh Green | NZ Sales Representative

Josh comes from an engineering and industrial coating back ground. He started at Rata back in 2020 where he ran the painting side of the factory. Josh moved into the sales team late 2023, with a passion for detail and vast knowledge of how things work. In his spare time he can be found enjoying the great outdoors & spending time with family in Europe.

P: 021 228 2880

E: joshg@rataequipment.com

Cooper Walton | NZ Sales Representative

Cooper's career with Rata has given him great opportunities and experience with a background on the factory floor & operations and Marketing. His passion and enthusiasm has lead him to become the North & Upper South Island Sales Rep, netting him an office desk, comfy chair, tidy ute & a plane ticket to almost anywhere in the country.

P: 021 192 5964

E: cooperw@rataequipment.com

York Walton | Sales Administration

Joining the family business, York is passionate about customer service & she works hard to ensure you are provided with the right advice & information, forwarding calls and making sure customers' orders flow through to the factory in a streamlined manner. Her creative flair for eye catching design sees her as an active proponent of the marketing team as well.

P: 0800 802 478
E: yorkw@rataequipment.com

Holly Irvine | Customer Service

Holly's past experience in the agricultural shed industry allows her to easily traverse the types of problems faced by farmers on a day to day basis. This means she is a key part of offering quality customer service & a passion for creative photography sees her as an equally indispensable part of bringing Rata's products to the masses.

P: 0800 802 478
E: hollyi@rataequipment.com

Troy Walton | Commercial Director

Troy started with Rata when he left school, beginning in the factory where he fabricated products. Today Troy heads up administration at Rata, with an eye for figures & analysing data, he makes sure everything is running as smoothly as it should be. Troy enjoys a healthy social life & can oft be found with others on the banks of a glassy southern lake, beverage in hand.

P: 021 310 556
E: troyw@rataequipment.com

James Holmes | Operations Manager

James started his illustrious career back in the UK. Drawn by a much less moist climate, younger James, along with his wife and young family relocated to Ashburton in the early 2000s. Since then he's broadened his knowledge through procurement & production of everything from electric wheelchairs to 110,000 litre fuel tanks. He is now a key enabler of 'common sense' manufacturing principles & ensures Rata's operations management processes & procedures are up to spec, as well as being a key component of the quality control chain.

P: 021 685 112
E: jamesh@rataequipment.com

Adrian Hodgett | Purchasing

Harking from the UK, Adrian is a much needed team player in the role of purchasing, and provides vital updates to both production and sales for the components that Rata's well known products use. An avid soccer fan, Adrian can often be found repping the merch of his favourite team.

P: 0800 802 478
E: adrianh@rataequipment.com

 

 

Corinne Wilkinson | Accounts Administrator

Corinne started with Rata in the early 2021 to help take some of the admin workload off Troy. She now handles processing of invoices and making sure the cash flows, performing a much needed service, ensuring invoices & accounting is kept up to date, as well as providing greetings at reception.

P: 0800 802 478

E:corinnew@rataequipment.com

Peter Walton | Founder

Peter began building all kinds of machinery after he left school back in the late 70s. His passion for fusing metal into well build farm implements saw him start Rata Industries back on the family farm, Rata Park. After handing over management roles in 2010, Peter is now a valued member of the factory, affectionately known as "Pistol Pete" due to his many years of experience with a welding gun in hand.

P: 021 220 2148

E: peterw@rataequipment.com

Bert Walton | Manufacturing Manager

Bert started with Rata when he left school, he began in the factory where he fabricated everything from Cultivators to pioneering Rata's own brand of Seed Drill. Today Bert heads up the factory, where he is often seen walking briskly from work centre to work centre hands thrust deep into his cavernous overalls, earning him the nickname "Pockets". He also creates detailed CAD drawings to help with ensuring accurate manufacturing.

P: 021 245 6167

E: bertw@rataequipment.com

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