A FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1910
Arthur Holmes began importing glass milk bottles in the early 1900s.
The business has continued to supply New Zealand with glass for over 100 years.
1910
Arthur Moody Holmes begins importing glass milk bottles and Kenyon road lamps. He operates out of a small space on the second floor of the Howdens Building, Wellington.
1915
Arthur's wife Vera joins the business. The team nicknames her ‘the fastest calculator’ due to her amazing ability to add up figures. She works for the business well into her 90s!
1957
Arthur is still running the business in his 70s when his health begins to fail, so his son Jock Holmes steps up.
1960
Jock and his wife Audrey, alongside a hardworking team of 10, sell glassware to manufacturers, pharmacies and pubs across New Zealand.
1977
A fire destroys the Arthur Holmes premises, luckily no one is harmed. The business moves to Adelaide Road in Newtown, Wellington.
1979
Jock Holmes suffers a stroke and is sadly unable to continue working. He asks his son Rick, who is working as a farming advisor, to change tack and join the business.
1980
Rick Holmes manages the business and adapts to meet new demands; importing glass jars, plastic containers and bottles of different shapes, sizes and colours.
1983
The team outgrow the space at Adelaide Road and move to a bigger building in Horner Street, Newtown.
2009
Arthur Holmes purchases Techpack Supplies Ltd and amalgamates the businesses, enabling them to provide a greater variety of products.
2010
Arthur Holmes celebrates 100 years of business.
2017
The business needs more space so Rick and the team move to their current premises in Petone, Wellington.
2020
Rick starts to look towards retirement, his daughter Lisa and partner Sam come onboard to continue to support the business.
2021
We extend again, refurbishing a nextdoor warehouse to create a purpose built bulk storage area, helping us hold higher inventory.
2025
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2026
We celebrate 116 years in business!