Our Story
At Arrow Uniforms, we believe good uniforms do more than identify. They unify teams, empower individuals, and inspire pride.
For over 30 years, we’ve delivered workwear solutions that balance quality, functionality, and representation. We help teams across New Zealand and Australia look sharp and work smart.
From our beginnings in Lower Hutt to our trans-Tasman presence today, we’ve grown through a simple philosophy: do things properly, and care about the people behind the uniform.
“We’re a uniform manufacturer based in the Hutt Valley — we’ve been here since 1990, when I started the business. At the beginning, it was just me… then me and my wife… then me, my wife, and our kids. But these days it’s about more than just me and the Ford family. We’ve built a team of specialists with deep experience in design, production, and customer service.”
— Des Ford, Founder
Our Journey Through the Years
Every chapter of Arrow’s story has been shaped by a desire to serve better — to deliver quality without compromise, and to evolve alongside our customers. From a single site in Lower Hutt to purpose-built facilities, sustainable innovations, and brand new services, each milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to the people behind the uniform.
Explore our journey below and see how Arrow has grown, adapted, and led the way across more than three decades.
Arrow's Beginnings (1990)
Arrow Uniforms was founded by Des Ford, operating from 443 Hutt Road, Lower Hutt. With a focus on high-quality uniforms and exceptional service, the company quickly gained a strong reputation, supplying businesses across industries such as hospitality, healthcare, and corporate apparel.
As demand grew, Arrow expanded its product offering, providing a wide range of workwear solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. The company’s commitment to quality and customer service set it apart, creating the foundation for long-term partnerships with clients nationwide.
Scaling Up (1995)
With a growing customer base and demand for accessibility, Arrow opened a second location at 138 Adelaide Road, Wellington. This helped better serve clients in the capital, with a convenient retail space alongside its distribution operations.
It marked a pivotal point in Arrow’s expansion — setting the stage for broader national reach and future growth.
Expanding Horizons (2005)
A decade of continued growth saw Arrow relocate to a significantly larger 30,000 sq ft distribution centre at 66 Pharazyn Street, Lower Hutt, providing the space needed to manage higher volumes and more complex uniform programs.
That same year, Arrow took its first steps into the Australian market, acquiring a 30% stake in Melbourne-based Specialized Apparel. This strategic move enabled the company to better support trans-Tasman clients and expand its presence in a competitive industry.
Local Production Commitment (2015)
As the industry shifted towards offshore production, Arrow remained committed to supporting local manufacturing. The company invested in onsite embroidery and printing facilities, enhancing customisation options and ensuring faster turnaround times.
By 2021, Arrow was personalising more than 5,000 garments per week—providing customers with high-quality, branded uniforms that reflected their identities. Expanding its local production capabilities also enabled Arrow to offer flexible, smaller production runs, ensuring New Zealand-made products remained a viable option for businesses.
New HQ (2023)
In late 2023, Arrow entered its next chapter, moving into a state-of-the-art, purpose-built headquarters at 3 Barley Mow Lane, Silverstream. This modern facility was designed to support continued growth, improve operational efficiency, and future-proof the business for years to come.
With this move, Arrow reinforced its long-standing commitment to quality, innovation, and serving the people behind the uniforms.
Next Chapter: Brand Evolution (2025)
In 2025, we launched AROUND®, our closed-loop uniform solution, unveiled our enhanced Size Up fit range, and introduced Arrow Branding™ — delivering more personalised, more circular, and more inclusive uniform solutions.
These initiatives form part of Arrow’s refreshed brand identity, built on the values of excellence, trust, agility, and care — and our promise to help your business look its best, feel its best, and work at its best.
From Then to Now
More than just a change of address, our move from Pharazyn Street to our purpose-built headquarters at Barley Mow Lane marks a visible leap in scale and capability — from how we store, move, and manage stock, to how we customise and deliver your uniforms.
This gallery shows the difference between where we were and where we are now — a smarter, more efficient environment designed to serve our customers better, faster, and more consistently.
