Montrose History

Montrose of Penrose was founded in !953 by John Abbott and William Smith, with the aim to service the growing industrial requirements in the Penrose area. The business built its reputation in the electrical industry producing the now famous Montrose Electrical circuit boxes used nationwide.

Clients have included New Zealand Railways, Transport New Zealand, New Zealand Dairy Board, Fonterra, and many hundreds of smaller Auckland based companies.

John Abbott junior, a qualified and experienced engineer and designer, took over the business from his Dad in 1993, having been involved with the foundry himself for almost all of his life. John’s foundry background and engineering experience has meant that customers have enjoyed the benefit of fresh and alternative design thinking in their product development, and the subsequent foundry production process.

The business is now headed up by John, and currently operates with a core of 7 highly experienced foundry smiths.