Our history

We were founded in 1974 by Jerry O’Neill and Neal Ottmann. Our current Managing Director, Tom Thomson, ONZM, has been with us since 1975.

In 2006 following Jerry's retirement, Tom Thomson and new partner, Independent Fisheries, took over the ownership of EPL.

In 2007 we established a full manufacturing facility in Amata City, Rayong, Thailand.

In 2015 our Christchurch based operations moved to a new purpose-built facility in Woolston Christchurch.

Global reach, local focus

With a manufacturing presence across New Zealand and Thailand, we bring a broad appreciation of current-day manufacturing techniques to the table. Our global manufacturing capabilities allow us to offer a range of manufacturing solutions and products across multiple industries, at scale and volume, in the most cost effective and/or sustainable ways possible.

Our global reach is balanced with a strong local focus. Our teams have a solid understanding of the markets they operate in and provide responsive, hands-on support throughout.

See our locations

Committed to innovation

We are proud to release the first edition of our innovation and sustainability report.

Since EPL was founded in 1974, we have had a long history of innovation. We love nothing more than working with customers to shape our futures together. The purpose of the document is to keep you up to date with our latest initiatives.

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Custom development

As well as being a product supplier we have a history as innovators. We partner with our clients to ensure we’re meeting their needs and always looking for new opportunities to make a difference and add value. This includes helping meet their sustainability goals.

With a contemporary approach to manufacturing and dedicated R&D facility we can not only help design new products to solve specific challenges; we can develop manufacturing techniques that improve efficiency or overall quality or even boost sustainability; reduce costs or impact of pre-existing products; and explore new ways to reuse or advance the reusability of materials.

We aim to be a leader of bioplastic technology and deliver real change by designing with complete product lifecycle in mind from the outset, including reusability, recyclability and degradability. We are also developing our own innovative range of sustainable polymers, some made partially from recycled and recyclable compounds, some of natural materials and others completely biodegradable.

Learn more about custom development

Innovating to secure a sustainable future for our people, our product, our planet.

EPL Values 1

Everyone's wellness and safety matters

We act with dignity and respect, think big, have fun and do good. All the while, ensuring we never compromise on safety and everyone is accountable for each other.
EPL Values 5

Together we make the difference

We are collaborators who work well with others. And we build open and honest relationships through communication and accountability.
EPL Values 4

Think creatively, think differently

We encourage the curiosity and creativity that breeds innovation. We are bold in trying, fast in learning, and hungry to challenge the status quo to find new ways to make a difference.
EPL Values 2

Do it once, do it right

Quality is key. We master the fundamentals and strive for excellence in everything we do to ensure everyone wins.
EPL Values 3

Pride for our product and our planet

We aim to go over and above ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ by designing sustainability into our systems, process and products.

Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At the core are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing.

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Careers

We're always looking for people to join us in our mission to make a real difference to our customers and truly add value.

Find out about working at EPL