From a start producing plexiglass weather shields for Kiwi motorists, to creating a huge range of protection and enhancement gear for 4WDs – and other vehicles – Airplex has been proudly Kiwi for four decades.
Airplex has been the ‘go-to’ name for stylish acrylic weather shields and bonnet guards for all that time, and now supplies OEM-branded units for several big name auto brands plus aftermarket product for almost all brands available in the Kiwi market.
Airplex founder Robert Judd started the company in 1982 after working in pneumatic forming. A qualified engineering tradesman, he started as a sole trader under the name Pneumatic Engineering designing and building automated equipment for various customers.
These days, Airplex is a market leader here and overseas and employs a large number of Kiwi staff in their Auckland factory and warehouse.
There are any number of importers bringing in product from offshore, but Sales and Operations Manager Tim Arcus says the Airplex advantage lies in three areas: the quality of the product; the massive range of products available and enormous ‘knowledge bank’ the family-owned company has built up over four decades.
“When we add in the passion and dedication of our staff then Airplex is a clear choice.”
In the Covid era, the company can also offer quicker response to customers than importers, who are vulnerable to the difficulties of the global supply chain. It is also possible to custom-build in some cases.
Being a local manufacturer means that spares are always available, unlike most imported product where support can be poor.
“This all means it’s best to shop local – for quality, availability, response and after sales support,” he said.
The ‘moulds’ for the bonnet guards, headlight guards and other acrylic products are all created in-house with the co-operation of local auto distributors. They are made of steel, meaning they remain true to original and ensuring the moulds have a long life. Older versions are stored in the warehouse, ready for use.  This means Airplex has a large back catalogue that can be manufactured as required.
Airplex also caters to the ‘big’ trucking industry, making air deflectors, stone-guards, sun-visors, ‘monsoon’ weather shield deflectors and other products for heavy transport operators.
“Our acrylic work – including the bonnet guards - are roughly a third of what we do; our 4WD accessories another third and the truck work makes up the other third.”
From its 4,500 square metre warehouse and factory in Otahuhu, Airplex supplies its product through a massive range of distributors – OEM, Car dealerships, Supercheap, Repco, specialist 4WD shops and tuning outlets. In the South Island the company distributes largely through a long term master agent, Canterbury Stoneguards.
Online, the company’s website also has a configurator called ‘Fit my vehicle’ that enables customers to work out what they need.
The brand is now offshore in a serious way and exports to over 20 countries: Airplex product is available in the UK, Australia and Japan and the company regularly exhibits at the massive SEMA show in the USA, and Automechanika in Germany.