A Christchurch Innovation With A Global Following
Beyond The (Fence) Post
The number 8 wire has long been a symbol of Kiwi ingenuity but this Christchurch-based business has left that concept in their dust as their automated, world-first technology is able to essentially ‘knit’ wire fences with flexibility, speed and precision – and the global demand is out the gate.
CEO Pip Ullrich sat down with us to talk about leading this global business from Ōtautahi Christchurch and where the concept for a giant knitting machine came from.
You’ve got a unique globally-leading product, where did the concept come from?
UMC Innovation was established over 90 years ago and over time, our machines have changed and evolved from quite mechanical to very automated. The patented technology can produce two different types of wire fence – Stay Lokk or Fixed Lokk. It's the only machine in the world with that flexibility. Think of it as a giant knitting machine – you put a whole lot of high tensile wire in the back, and the machine produces fabricated wire fence in various roll sized for numerous applications.
UMC CEO Pip Ullrich
Where does UMC export to and what is the demand like globally?
About 95 per cent of our machinery goes overseas. We operate in various markets, primarily in North America, but we’re also in Europe and Asia, with endless potential for growth in different regions. The fence and wire fence industry is evolving, leading to new applications and opportunities. Right now, demand is very strong, and we expect it to remain robust, especially as issues like food security and global safety become increasingly critical.
What's unique about UMC products?
Our in-house capabilities – from design to CNC machining, and even the commissioning and operation of the machines. This allows us to continually challenge and refine our machine capabilities. We can tweak a part, run it on the machine, and immediately see the results. It’s all about the constant evolution of machine parts and their performance.
You’re based in New Zealand, but many of your customers are overseas. Does that provide challenges?
I’ve been fortunate to travel to various places around the world to meet our customers, and it always amazes me that this small engineering company in Christchurch is providing world-class machinery to major corporate giants. They see us as leaders in our field and turn to us for solutions.
We can quickly get both people and equipment to our customers, which is crucial. Thanks to advancements in automation, we can connect with customers worldwide, controlling machines remotely and making software updates on the fly. This ability to support them from afar is key, and ongoing developments in automation will keep it that way.
What do you enjoy most about your role at UMC?
As the CEO my role is incredibly varied, and that’s what I love most about it. I find the research and design work the most rewarding. We’re always challenging norms and trying new things, and I really enjoy collaborating with our team. We’re a close-knit group, and it’s the interaction among us that leads to achievements we didn’t think were possible. The satisfaction from our R&D efforts feels like a continuous learning experience, and that’s what makes it so fulfilling.
My background is in accounting and finance, which is quite different from engineering. I got into R&D because I love creating tangible products – transforming a block of steel into a finished machine through design and CNC machining is incredibly satisfying. Even without formal engineering training, I find it fascinating. Many people don’t realise how rewarding engineering can be, often seeing it as intimidating. But the thrill of bringing a product to life, along with the teamwork and problem-solving, is truly special.
Christchurch has quickly developed a reputation as a great place for agritech and innovation-led companies. Does that ring true for you?
Absolutely. Christchurch is home to many fantastic companies across various industries, and I believe that good companies attract great people. We collaborate closely with a lot of these businesses, especially as we focus on R&D and automation. The support here is strong, and the community is tight knit.
Plus, it’s a great location – we’re close to an international airport and the seaport, making it easy to get people and equipment where they need to be. The outdoor environment is another bonus; our team loves being active, which helps create a nice work-life balance. Overall, Christchurch checks all the boxes for us.
What is next for UMC Innovation?
We’ll keep prioritising innovation in our machines. We plan to expand into areas like aquaculture and other industrial products, which will broaden our product range. The agricultural wire fence market is maturing, and we see growth opportunities in South America as it shifts from traditional barbed wire to more fabricated fencing. Overall, we expect our product and geographic offerings to grow while we continue automating and moving toward more automated machines.
See the UMC Innovation website here for more information.
