About Us

Company Overview

GDL Trading NZ was originally founded by Jim Grut over 20 years ago. When the business came up for sale about 3 years ago, the current owner listened attentively as the business broker described the history and background of the previous owner, without actually divulging his name. As the broker continued telling the business story, the current owner had a hunch the previous owner sounded remarkably like someone he knew 30 years ago. That hunch proved correct and the sale assured.

Since taking over, the husband and wife owners have continued to consolidate the business and look at leveraging new ways to market it. They bring a sincere interest in other people’s business stories and a genuine desire to help their clients find whatever it is they’re looking for. They will ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to going that extra mile. Together, they bring many years of marketing and business administration experience and a strong desire to grow GDL Trading.

Mission Statement

Many of our clients run small cottage industry-type businesses, which are always thinking about how they can create a point of difference in their product lines. Aside from the practical functionality of some of our products, others are unique and unlikely to be found in any of New Zealand’s generalist, hardware supply stores. GDL Trading fills the niche requirement, for a refined and specialised supplier to a broad range of industries.

Thus, our mission is:

“To be front-of-mind as New Zealand’s primary source of craftsman-type products, tools and specialist supplies to the manufacturing and creative industries.”

Good Old-Fashioned Values

These days, a lot of business is conducted online where it is hard to really demonstrate, good old fashioned values. For us, these are the fundamental premise upon which we do business.

Call us ‘old-school’, but we really value such characteristics as:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Respect and
• Initiative

We promise to always do business in an open, honest and respectful manner and to do our very best to help our customers in whatever way we can.