News
The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why NZ Must Step Up in Workplace Safety
Have you ever wondered how safe your workplace really is?What does it say about us as a nation if we can’t protect our people on the job? True or false: the cost of workplace accidents in New Zealand tops $4.4 billion a year.True or false: we lag behind countries like Australia and the UK in health and safety performance.True or false: nearly half of us have been touched by a workplace accident—through ourselves, a colleague, a family member, or a friend? If you guessed “true” to any of these questions, sadly you’re absolutely right. They are all true. A recent RNZ Article confirms the staggering toll: workplace incidents now cost New Zealand over $4.4 billion annually. The human consequences are even worse. Consider this: “Almost 50% of New Zealanders have been affected by a workplace accident, involving either themselves, a colleague, family or friends” Behind these numbers lie real stories of trauma, recovery, and grief. Every injury reverberates far beyond the site of the incident, through families, communities, and the mental health of those who live through it. But the data gets darker when we go deeper: New Zealand’s workplace fatality rate is around 60% higher than Australia’s, and more than five times greater than the UK’s. That means Kiwi workers are significantly more likely to be killed on the job than their peers across the ditch or in Europe. So, what’s driving this? Far too often, we remain reactive—responding only after accidents occur. That must change. We can’t rely on hope. Proactive, purpose-built safety infrastructure is critical. While no product can prevent every incident, we’re determined to do our part, outfitting worksites with equipment designed to reduce risk, safeguard people, and bolster compliance. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about numbers on a spreadsheet or costs on a ledger - it’s about lives. Every worker deserves to go home safe. __ See the full RNZ article here.  Â
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Solid Steel for a Solid Cause - Doing Good the Tru-Gard Way.
As you can imagine, we go through our fair share of steel here at Tru-Gard, which also means we generate a bit of scrap. While we've worked hard to make our processes as low-waste as possible, we’ve also come up with a plan to put those offcuts to good use. With a bit of existing know-how, some powder coating, and a dash of Kiwi ingenuity, we've created our Solid Steel. Solid Cause range. We're very proud to be launching with the classic Tru-Gard coaster, already protecting desks and boardroom tables around the country from rogue coffee rings, and our new bottle openers, perfect for keeping summer BBQs safe from unopened brews. Our team is also working away behind the scenes on more products to add to the collection, so watch this space. “Turning our steel offcuts into products that support local charities is a perfect example of sustainability in action. It’s a win for the environment and a win for our community,” says Mark Taylor, Managing Director, Tru-Gard. The proceeds from each item sold from our Solid Steel. Solid Cause range will go towards supporting local charities as part of our Tru-Impact initiative. Just add a coaster or key ring to your order at checkout, or purchase one on its own, and we’ll take care of the rest. Protect your workspace while making a difference where it counts. It's doing good, the Tru-Gard way. Find out more about Tru-Impact here, or if you have an idea for a product you've love to see in the range contact our team today.Â
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How Yellow Can Really Be Green - A Sustainability Fast Five with Paul Taylor
It’s well known we are passionate about all things safety here at Tru-Gard, but what you may not know is that this extends to the safety and protection of our environment. We believe that sustainable steps today will make a big difference to the future. Every day, we’re looking at new ways to make small but mighty changes – from removing paper cups and using good old ceramic ones in our break rooms, to recycling our steel offcuts into products for charity. We sat down with our Operations Manager, Paul Taylor, to learn more about how green yellow can be – read on to find out more.  Q – What does sustainability mean at Tru-Gard – and why does it matter? P.T – At Tru-Gard, sustainability means making workplaces safer today, without compromising the ability to do so tomorrow. By ensuring that every Barrier, Bollard, Handrail and safety system we design not only protects lives but also respects the environment and supports long-term value for our customers.  Q – What are some of the key sustainability initiatives Tru-Gard has introduced so far? P.T – We are passionate about waste reduction of materials by continuous improvements every week. Tru-Gard has shifted toward using fully recyclable materials in core product lines. This ensures that at the end of their lifecycle, products don’t end up in landfill but can be recycled or reused. With all Tru-Gard products made here in New Zealand, this all leads to reducing freight and boosting local jobs for just-in-time delivery.  Q – How do you approach sustainability in the day-to-day running of the business? P.T – Every small improvement we make today is an investment in tomorrow. At Tru-Gard, sustainability is not just a product feature – it’s embedded in the everyday decisions and operations of the business. We believe that everyday actions add up to long-term impact for our people and our planet.  Q – What challenges has Tru-Gard faced in its sustainability journey – and how is the team working to overcome them? P.T – Tru-Gard’s journey toward sustainability hasn’t been without its challenges. Each hurdle has sparked innovation across the team. One major shift has been in our supply chain: while we work with a wide range of suppliers, we've successfully brought most of these partnerships back to local providers. This not only reduces freight but also supports regional economies and gives us greater control over sustainable sourcing and quality – actually makes business fun and rewarding.  Q – What’s your vision for Tru-Gard’s environmental impact in the next five years? P.T – Well, it’s a mindset shift, as sustainability isn't a bolt-on at Tru-Gard — it's built into every weld, every folded piece of steel, every shipment, and every workplace we help protect. Over the next five years, we aim to set the benchmark in the safety industry by proving you can save lives and the planet at the same time. Shop our Solid Steel. Solid Cause charity range here.Â
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What it means to Live Yellow - a Fast Five with Mark Taylor
With years of experience making workplaces safer, we took the time to sit down with our Managing Director, Mark Taylor, to find out more about how we got here, what inspired the change from doors and docks, why our mission is so important, and what it means to "Live Yellow" – read on to find out more. __ Q - What inspired you to move away from doors and into workplace safety? M.T - It was a company decision in 2019, as our range had become too big, and we had some hard decisions to make as to the future of the company. We had some top advice that made us have some significant light bulb moments and down that path we went. Five years down said path and we are getting more and more passionate about making workplaces safer by the minute.  Q - You talk to us as a team about, 'Living Yellow" – what does that mean to you? M.T - Living Yellow is a way of life for us at Tru-Gard, it's more than safety it's about making sure every single member of our team understands what we do, why we do it and the difference our work makes on a daily basis. We aren't just supplying any old off-the-shelf solutions, but from design, to manufacturing, to consulting, to installation, and every step in between we are working with our customers to help them reduce harm and save lives.  Q - Tru-Gard's mission is to make workplaces safer. Why is that so important to you? M.T - Keeping people safe is our top priority, and our mission is simple: to save lives. If we can prevent just one accident or one loss of life, we know we’ve done our job. We can say with certainty we have done that.  Q - What's one moment that made you realise Tru-Gard was making a real impact? M.T - It was after one of our staff visited a site in 2022, they came back and said that the site needed a consultant to recommend safety changes as it was very dangerous in its current state. We engaged a trained consultant who went to site and recommended a plan to the customer, which we then priced, supplied, and installed. The pivotal moment came when we told the consultant the customer had proceeded, and his words were "you have saved lives on that site, as it was only a matter of time before someone was badly injured or killed" – that was one that will definitely stick with us now and into the future.  Q - So, what's next for Tru-Gard? M.T - Product innovation and continuous improvement is a core part of our company's DNA so it will be no surprise we have some exciting plans for the near future, alongside the market, legislative, and other industry changes we see all the time. It's an exciting time to be selling yellow! Â
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From the Tru-Gard Product Lab – Introducing Tru-Gard Flex, a Game-Changer in Steel Safety.
Tru-Gard Flex is a world first in steel safety. Developed right here in New Zealand to meet the real challenges of high-demand, and high-risk worksites. This revolutionary system combines the strength of steel with impact-absorbing flexibility to deliver next-level protection for high-demand environments. From warehouses and logistics to ports and processing plants, Tru-Gard Flex is built to take the hit – so your people, product and infrastructure don’t have to. What makes Tru-Gard Flex different? Unlike traditional steel safety systems or plastic alternatives, Tru-Gard Flex provides the best of both worlds. It’s tough, reliable, and ready to respond under pressure. Our Tru-Gard Flex key features include:  90mm Maximum Flex Zone Stronger than Plastic Protects Concrete Floors 100% Recyclable 10-Year Tru-Gard Warranty Available for Tru-Gard Bollards & Barrier NZ Designed & Manufactured Minimal Product Damage on Impact Global Patent Pending – NZ821515 “Workplace accidents do happen, and can happen anywhere. People going home to their loved ones each day is the most important thing, and knowing that products like Tru-Gard Flex help make this happen is a great feeling”– Myron Norman, Tru-Gard Manufacturing & Design Coordinator   Let’s Make Your Workplace Safer Ready to upgrade your site safety? Get in touch with the team today to find out how Tru-Gard Flex can be tailored to your project. Read more about Myron’s work on Tru-Gard Flex Here
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Behind the Design of Tru-Gard Flex - A Fast-Five with Myron Norman
Tru-Gard Flex has broken new ground in steel safety—and for our Manufacturing & Design Coordinator, Myron, it’s a career milestone too. This world-first design is his first-ever patent. We sat down with him to learn more about the design process behind Flex, how it feels to have a patent to his name, and where he thinks the future of workplace health and safety is heading. Read on to find out more. Q – Big milestone! How does it feel to have your first patented product out in the world?A – Really great, I thought patents were more for very large American companies but this has been a great and eye-opening process. Q – Without giving away the secret formula, what’s something clever / interesting / exciting about the design or design process that you’re especially proud of?A – It’s design can be used on many of our products such as barriers and bollards giving a complete range of steel products that can Flex. The design is easy to manufacture which helps being able to bring this new safety product to the market at a great price. Q – What is the toughest challenge taking a product like Flex from concept to completion?A – Many different ideas and concepts were made with iterations being too soft, too stiff, too difficult to manufacture etc. But that is part of research and development, trying things until a great idea appears and then working the bugs out to get a great product. Q – How do you see safety products evolving over the next ten years?A- I see there being an increase of safety devices on vehicles/machinery e.g cameras and sensors, and AI to alert drivers & pedestrians to reduce the likelihood of accidents. I also think we will see increased traffic safety plans with barriers to reduce the chance for terrible accidents to happen. Q – How does it feel knowing your product designs are being used to keep people safe at work every day?A- Honestly it feels great! Workplace accidents can and do happen anywhere. People going home to their loved ones each day is the most important thing, and knowing that our products help make this happen is a great feeling. Want to learn more about Tru-Gard Flex and how it’s shaping the future of steel safety? Read our full Flex launch article here.
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The Billion-Dollar Burden: Using bollards to prevent crime for your business. A Tru-Gard Safety Insight.
We’ve all seen the barrage of news articles about ram raid crimes targeting small businesses across the country. While recent efforts and funding support have helped reduce the number of these offences, retail crime still costs New Zealand retailers $1 billion every year. Not to mention the enormous personal toll on business owners and those working in the industry. Ram raids have been a significant contributor to retail crime, providing offenders with a means of forced entry to businesses of all types and sizes, including petrol stations, supermarkets, dairies and convenience stores, retail premises, and commercial properties. Between April 2017 and February 2023, the New Zealand Police recorded over 2,100 ram-raid-style offences across the country! Although ram raids are now trending downward thanks in part to government-funded initiatives, the deterrent effect of physical barriers such as bollards remains critical. These barriers not only provide security but also send a strong psychological message to would-be offenders, discouraging attempts before they begin. While these crimes often have a high financial cost to businesses, ram raid offences typically result in thefts/shoplifting with a value of between $0 and $1,000, with the vast majority of these being under $500 in estimated value. Money and cash registers, tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, designer goods, and power tools remain consistent targets. Although the estimated value of these stolen items may be low, the costs to businesses in repairs, insurance, staff care, and other losses are significantly higher. Tru-Gard Bollards keeping retail spaces safer across NZ and Australia.  If you’re looking for ways to protect your assets, team, and livelihood from this, we can help. From small business solutions to big-box retailers, our team has decades of experience and can create a bollard system to suit. With options for inground, surface-mount, and removable bollards, we can design a safety solution that works specifically for your site and its unique needs. Bollards have been proven to be a physical and psychological crime deterrent, with Auckland Transport among local bodies recommending their use, alongside other methods such as fog cannons for ram raid protection. Auckland Transport is also streamlining the application process for businesses to install bollards (including processing the application free of charge), and our team can support you with technical data for these or other local application processes. With a range of options for inground, surface-mount, and removable bollards, we can design a safety-focused, crime prevention solution tailored specifically for your site. For example, our removable bollards can be used to cover roller doors or access ways for commercial properties at night, surface-mount bollards offer a cost-effective deterrent for small businesses, and our in-ground bollards are the perfect heavy-duty solution for 24/7 property protection. Our bollards come with the Tru-Gard 10-year Warranty and are made in New Zealand from high-quality materials. They undergo rigorous independent testing to ensure top-level protection for you, your staff, and your premises. Our in-ground options include plastic caps that arrive separately, allowing contractors the flexibility to fill them with concrete on-site for added strength. Bollards offer an extremely cost-effective solution for preventing loss and damage to your premises. To find out more about the right bollard product for you, contact our expert team today. NZ Sales – Bromley Taylor, bromley.taylor@tru-gard.com Statistics courtesy of the New Zealand Police  Â
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