In 2024, DMW Trailers Ltd (Dutton Marine Wholesale) celebrate a huge milestone of 50 years in business, family-owned and operated.
The company was started in 1974 in Mahana Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton by Rollo Dutton, a Hamilton boat builder, who saw the need for locally produced boat trailers to go under both local and imported boats. The early DMWs were under a lot of the Bonito, Plylite, Glastron and Sea Nymph hulls of that era. In the early 1980’s brands like Haines Hunter, Buccaneer, Fi-Glass, Seaswirl, and Fyran began production and partnered with the DMW Trailers brand.
In 1983, Rollo retired and sold the business to his 2 sons Gary and Greg who continued the business. Greg managed the business through the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, while Gary ran the family’s other business, Rollo’s Marine. In the mid-1990s Greg joined Gary at Rollo’s Marine and Steve Mark was appointed General Manager to run the business. In the early 2000s Greg, along with his wife Trudy, went back to DMW Trailers and are still running the business currently.
From the late 1980s until the late 1990s, the company not only did boat trailers but did a range of farm and car trailers also. It was at that point they decided to focus solely on boat trailers and remain dedicated to that cause right to this day. In 2003, the business shifted to its current location at 12 Karewa Place, Te Rapa, to allow Rollo’s Marine to expand their workshop space and take over the DMW yard. The purpose-built new factory has served the business well over the past 20 years and is currently being extended to allow more indoor space for the production and assembly of trailers. DMW Trailers sees the future potential in the industry and therefore feels the time is right to increase the factory size by nearly double. DMW Trailers were pioneers of the multiroller style trailer with Greg Dutton, the first to put this system across his range of trailers, as opposed to the keel support trailers that had traditionally been used. This was a game changer for the industry to improve the ability to easily launch and retrieve.
In 2014, Greg and Trudy bought Greg’s brother, Gary, out of DMW Trailers to separate the businesses in an amicable split. This meant Greg was able to have sole focus on DMW trailers and their customers. In 2015, Greg and Trudy’s son Brad joined the DMW Team, to help with marketing, sales and general management of the business. Brad came from retail sales at Rollo’s Marine and has been involved in the marine industry his entire life, much like his father. Earlier this year, Brad became a financial shareholder in the business and the Dutton family is super proud for the business to be continuing into its 3rd generation. In May 2016, Greg was inducted into the NZ Boat Show Hall of Fame for his 40 years of contribution and service to the NZ Marine industry and the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show. This is a huge achievement and one of the highest accolades in the NZ Marine Industry.
In 2017, DMW Trailers again took a market-leading approach by designing and supplying a marine-specific DMW mag wheel, manufactured to be standard on all trailers right from Jetski throughout the entire range. This was a key selling feature that really differentiated them from the opposition. DMW also promote New Zealand-made where possible with Aerofast tie-downs and wind-up jockey wheels & winches. They also are the importer of the Genuine Bearing Buddies made in the USA, which are fitted standard on all their trailers. Greg Dutton says the DMW difference is “that we know boats from our long involvement in the marine industry, and every DMW Trailer is custom built to the boat it sits on. For that reason, we get a better fit, and an easier launch and retrieve.” The company’s core values are focussed around uncompromising attitude to great service, product knowledge, friendly, quick response to customer enquiry and they value the personal relationships they have created along the way.
DMW are proud to be the trailer of choice for over 35 dealers nationwide and are the majority of trailers under new boats for Stabicraft, Senator, Haines Hunter, Buccaneer, Profile, Marco, Smuggler, BRIG, Beneteau, Bullet, Smartwave, Mac as well as Yamaha Waverunner and Sea Doo Jetskis. DMW Trailers also specialise in general trailer repairs, refurbishing and WOF work. The installation of, and overhaul of, braking systems, from override (under 2500 kg) to the hi-tech Sensabrake and Credo Electric over hydraulic (over 2500 kg), are all part of the service.
Outside of trailers, both Greg and Brad have a passion for boating in general and more specifically, water ski racing. Both are Life Members and Hall of Famers of the NZ Water Ski Racing Association and both have competed at several World Championship Events. Brad is the organiser of the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic which has been running for 40 years in 2024. DMW Trailers is a proud sponsor of this event. Greg also has a passion for classic boats, of which he has 3 Mason Clippers along with other ski and race boats. His 24ft Mason Clipper “Benedictine” which he restored 10 years ago remains his favourite boat he has owned.
In its 50th year, DMW Trailers are still looking to grow with the marine industry and pioneer and innovate along with their customers. Having now produced over 23,000 trailers, they want to thank their loyal dealers who have been on this journey of 50 years with them. “The support and service that the dealers offer our end user customers is second to none and our dealers are very important to us”, says Dutton. They would also like to thank all the staff that have been a part of the team in the last 50 years. Over that time many great staff members have come and gone from the DMW family, but their efforts are all very much appreciated. Finally, DMW Trailers would like to thank the retail customers who buy their trailers, some of whom are repeat customers who are loyal to the brand and have come back many times as they upgrade their boats over the years. They are the reason the business is still going 50 years later. DMW Trailers know you have a choice and they appreciate that you continue to back New Zealand-made and designed products to put under your pride and joy.
