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![Hansa Team member Martin](https://storage.googleapis.com/hansa-production-web-assets/public/uploads/2019/11/Martin.V-e1715677828597.png?ver=1716875841)
While working as a mechanical engineer, founder Manfred Vogel saw a opportunity to develop garden chippers. The company he worked for wasn't interested in building chippers so he decided to start building his own and fulfill his dream of owning his own business.
With limited resources Manfred drew up his own designs at his kitchen counter and built his first chipper inside an old derelict honey shed in small town Ohaupo, New Zealand.
Manfred's first design was a chipper shredder - affectionately called "the box" for its shape
Hansa grew, and required more space, so Hansa moved into a workshop at Grasslands Place, Hamilton
Hansa attended their first Tradeshow - the National Fieldays - which is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere that still runs annually to this day.
With steady growth, Hansa soon required a building extension for more chipper shredders and workshop space.
This drum chipper was soon followed by designs of larger diesel powered models designed for use by garden contractors.
Hansa first export order, enabling Hansa's chipper shredders to be sold into Australia via a local distributor.
Demonstrated by the Vogel family, the C6 chipper is one of Hansa's most popular models - later superseded by the Hansa C7.
Further developing their range, Hansa also started building hydraulic model chippers. The first is the Hansa C25, which is now superseded by the Hansa C27 chipper.
The first C60 was manufactured. In later years this machine was redeveloped to have a 10” capacity with additional features such as hydraulic winch and lift & crush.
Outgrowing the Grasslands Place Workshop, Hansa moves into a new Factory at Tawn Place Hamilton.
The Hansa Model C7 was released. Ideal for the large gardener this machine has become one of our most popular models.
Winner in the Westpac Waikato Business Awards.
First exports to Europe with distribution through Angenendt BV in the Netherlands.
The remote controlled tracked C60rx was released. The T20 followed soon after allowing the best of both worlds – the C60rx can be used as a tracked machine or trailed machine on its trailer.
Hansa's first container of EU model chippers sent to the Netherlands.
Hansa establishes Brisbane based facilities and a local team to enable direct sales into Australia. Australian customers, can now enjoy full access to the Hansa range, including commercial machines that were previously unavailable through the local distributor, and dedicated support for our dealerships across the country.
Gartenland appointed as the Hansa distributor for Germany.
After 2 years of planning and 1 year of build, the Hansa team moves into its global headquarters. The new building is purpose built and designed to meet Hansa's growing export demands in both Australia and Europe.
Henton & Chattel appointed as the Hansa distributor for United Kingdom & Ireland.
Hansa products now sold into dealerships around Switzerland.
Hansa products now sold into dealerships around Switzerland.
Seen as the little brother of the C7, the C5 chipper is a great no-nonsense chipper launched across the globe for lifestyle users who are looking for a chipper with solid performance.
The release of this new Deutz powered line superseded the popular C40, C60 & C60RX models to form the next generation of 7" & 10" commercial chippers.
By partnering with Van Dyke Marcel as our distributor based in Belgium, Hansa extends our reach in Europe to cover the Benelux region of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg.
On Saturday 12 February 2022, a significant fire broke out in our factory in Hamilton. Thankfully nobody was injured in the fire however our entire workshop was destroyed. Over the next 7 months, the HANSA production team was spread across up to 11 locations while demolition and rebuild work was completed at headquarters. We were able to return to headquarters in full in September 2022. The last stage of recovery is to rebuild the building that we lost in the fire in 2022. While this event has been an unexpected knockback, we have a resilient team that have a clear vision to come back stronger.
Hansa cooperates with Tree Care Machinery (Earthmoving Equipment Australia Limited, EEA Group) for the distribution of the range of commercial HANSA chippers in Australia!
The newly established Hansa Products UK Ltd. takes control of its operations post-Brexit, and will now directly distribute the Garden and Lifestyle range to retailers in UK and Ireland.
Final building handover from Waikato Construction Management Limited after three years of extension building and comprehensive refurbishment, including rebuilding the original building and reinstalling the office. While we are pleased that this chapter has now closed and we can look to the future again.