A welder at work in the RH Freeman workshop

R HFreemanEst. 1946

Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

Where Precision Becomes a Tradition

Since 1946, RH Freeman has delivered precision metalwork to industries that cannot afford compromise. Nearly eight decades of craft, refined with modern engineering.

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1946Year Founded

75+Years Experience

ISO9000 Since 1991

100%New Zealand Made

Our Legacy

A heritage built by hand,
carried by people

Since 1946, RH Freeman has delivered precision metalwork to industries that cannot afford compromise. Nearly eight decades on, the same standards are upheld by the team who stand behind every cut, fold and weld.

1946Founded in Wellington — precision metalwork by hand.

1991First of our type in New Zealand certified to ISO 9000.

2025New ownership opens the next chapter — same promise.

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RH Freeman has been part of Wellington’s metal fabrication industry since 1946. For almost 80 years we’ve been known for reliable workmanship, practical solutions, and looking after our customers the right way.

In August 2025 the business began a new chapter when husband-and-wife team Gerhard (“G”) and Chantelle van Staden became the new owners. G brings more than two decades of hands-on fabrication and engineering experience and leads the workshop with a genuine open-door style, while Chantelle brings her legal, HR and business background to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

We offer a full end-to-end metal fabrication service — laser cutting, CNC punching, folding, welding, powder coating and assembly — all under one roof, working closely with customers big or small to make sure every job is done properly and delivered on time.

As a family-run business, our values are simple: treat people well, communicate clearly, and take pride in the work we do. We’re proud of where we’ve come from and excited about where we’re going.

Precision caliper measuring a machined part

“Quality is not an act — it’s a mindset. Every sheet we cut, every joint we weld, carries nearly eighty years of accumulated expertise.”

— The Freeman Standard

Laser Cutting

Fast, accurate laser cutting of stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium and tube.

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CNC Turret Punching

Cost-effective CNC turret punching on the latest servo electric-powered press technology.

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Folding & Forming

All sheet metal folded, formed or bent to your requirements — virtually any shape or thickness.

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Welding

Full range of gas and arc welding: TIG, MIG, pulse MIG, spot, brazing and robot MIG.

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Powder Coating & Plating

Powder coating through our onsite accredited partner; plating via preferred sub-contractors.

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Assembly & Dispatch

Complete assembly, packing and dispatch to anywhere in New Zealand or the world.

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Architecture & Infrastructure

Metlink Bike Shelter

Bespoke architectural metalwork — fabricated, finished and built to live outdoors in the Wellington weather.

Product Manufacturing

PEC Fuel Dispensers

Precision enclosures and panels for the fuel-dispenser programme — now produced with PEC, carrying on a 100% on-time delivery record built over thirty years.

Electrical & OEM

CommScope Comms Racks

Sub-assemblies and enclosures for telecommunications infrastructure, built to exacting OEM tolerances.

Public / Heritage

Decorative Bronze Screen — Supreme Court of New Zealand

The largest piece of art ever commissioned in New Zealand — 9.5km of bronze sheet cut into 4,500 pieces, each folded with custom tooling.

4,500Pieces Cut

9.5kmBronze Sheet

88,999kgTotal Weight

Government / Archives

Secure Storage for Archives New Zealand

Manufacturing parts for 25,000 metal shelves and cabinets for a new secure repository in Christchurch to safely house New Zealand's taonga.

25,000Shelves & Cabinets

40ftContainers

2018Opened

After almost a decade of close partnership we continue to benefit from their willingness to innovate. I find it hard to imagine a better sheet metal engineering supplier.

Jurgen BrandDesignbrand Ltd

Our preferred metalwork manufacturer for over thirty years. Their on-time delivery measure is constantly 100% — an outstanding achievement.

Dave JohnsonPEC

Freemans produce around 250 different products for us. We like that they are a one-stop shop — from initial drawings through to delivery.

Ronnie RyanRPS Switchgear

Gerhard van Staden

Company Director

Known to many as “G”, Gerhard has worked in sheet metal fabrication since 2000 and became an owner of RH Freeman in 2025. He leads with an open-door style and a genuine passion for the craft — and, off the floor, for cricket, cars and league rugby.

Chantelle van Staden

General Manager

Chantelle oversees the core operations and inner workings of RH Freeman. A strong legal background brings a structured, solutions-focused approach to leadership, while away from work she makes the most of family time and the outdoors.

Ro Fernando

Estimator

With RH Freeman since 1984, Ro began on the factory floor before programming our first CNC turret, then moved into quotations and helped install the TIMS system. Decades of know-how sit behind every estimate he prepares.

Martin Seddon

Draughtsman

Over 10 years at RHF and more than 30 in manufacturing, Martin turns drawings, sketches and CAD models into products the workshop can build. Off the clock he is usually at a cricket field, watching or coaching his children.

Girish Gandhi

Quality Assurance

Safeguarding the Freeman standard — checking every component meets specification before it leaves the floor.

Sam Moffat

Office Administrator

Sam keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in accounts and sales, she is all about clear communication and great service — and outside work, the gym, baking and her fur babies.

Viv Bould

Administrator

The friendly first point of contact at RH Freeman, Viv handles enquiries and orders and works closely with production to keep every job moving. With 10+ years at RHF, she knows our products and plant inside out.

Finishing work in the RH Freeman workshop

Let’s Build Something That Lasts

Bring us your blueprints, your brief, or just a rough idea. Whatever the challenge, our team is ready to make it — to the Freeman standard.

Where Precision Becomes a Tradition

A heritage built by hand,
carried by people

About RH Freeman