OUR STORY
Built on relationships. Still a family business.
Cirrus International began in 2002 when Laurie Hogg saw an opportunity to do things differently in the New Zealand lift industry.
After many years working in lifts, Laurie knew the industry, the products and the people. More importantly, he knew the kind of business he wanted to build: one based on quality products, great service and support that continued long after the sale.
His philosophy was simple. There were no problems, only solutions. Cirrus International
That feels like a really strong opening. Then I’d make the page more visual and story-led rather than having one long About Us block.
Laurie’s way of doing business
Laurie was never your typical salesperson. He believed that if the products were good, the service was right and you looked after people properly, customers would come back.
He was fascinated by the design and technology behind lift components and valued working with manufacturers who knew their products inside and out, from development and manufacture through to technical and after-sales support. That same emphasis on product knowledge and strong supplier relationships remains an important part of Cirrus today. Cirrus International
But Laurie also knew the little things mattered. He called them the “little sprinkles”: the extra bit of help, a design idea, great graphics or even the lollies that became a familiar addition to Cirrus orders.
Keeping it in the family
Cirrus has changed a lot since 2002, but it has remained a family business.
Laurie’s daughter Elizabeth grew up around the lift industry and went on to take ownership of Cirrus. The next chapter saw Jahan join the business, bringing a completely different background in software development and technology.
Together, Elizabeth and Jahan have continued to build on what Laurie started, combining the relationships and service Cirrus has always been known for with new technology, products and ideas.
The generational story is genuine rather than something we're trying to manufacture: the 20th-anniversary feature specifically followed Cirrus from its creation through Elizabeth and Jahan's succession, and was even written by Laurie’s brother, Colin Hogg. Cirrus International
Cirrus today
More than two decades later, Cirrus is still a small Christchurch-based team, working closely with lift companies throughout New Zealand.
We supply lift components and solutions from specialist manufacturers around the world, but what we really provide is the knowledge and support around them. We help customers find the right product, work through technical challenges, develop custom solutions and get things sorted when something isn’t straightforward.
Technology has changed. The products have changed. Cirrus has grown and evolved.
But the way we do business hasn’t changed all that much.
Look after people. Know your products. Find a solution. And provide the kind of support that gives customers a reason to come back.
Laurie would probably say that’s how it should be.
Meet the people behind Cirrus
Cirrus might have grown from one generation to the next, but it’s still a small team and a very personal business.