Proud family owned business - Hawk Group
Our Story
New Zealand roots, family values
Hawk Group is proudly a New Zealand family-owned and operated business. Tim Combs, our Managing Director, was born and raised in Hawke's Bay. On August 1, 2009, Tim took ownership of Hawk Packaging (formerly Ludowici Packaging, established in 1993).
A legacy of sustainability
Tim's expertise in fibre comes from his family's business, All Brite Industries. Founded by his father, Mike Combs, All Brite was the only New Zealand company involved in all stages of the recycling process: collection, processing and marketing. After 30 years of service as both a commercial and council contractor, All Brite was sold in 2007, prompting Tim to seek a new venture. Hawk Packaging, with its commitment to using 100% reclaimed paper, was a natural fit, leading to the creation of Hawk.
Watch our story unfold
Our Journey
Resilience and growth
Despite Tim's extensive knowledge, there was still much to learn about manufacturing moulded fibre. Hawk set out to become a world-class moulded fibre manufacturing plant, building a team rich in industry experience.
In 2012, a devastating fire led to the loss of our Hastings manufacturing facility. This setback spurred us to purchase a new site in Whakatu and build a facility that would elevate our operations. During this period, we formed a strategic partnership with an overseas manufacturer to supply our customers until we resumed manufacturing.
Commitment to excellence
Tim travelled the globe to study best practices in moulded fibre manufacturing. These insights, combined with a strong focus on quality, compliance, and health and safety, ensured that our new facility, production line and manufacturing processes met the highest standards.
A Family Legacy
Passing the torch
In 2020, Tim's sons, Sam and Josh, joined the business as GM of Production and Planning and GM of Distribution, respectively. They are dedicated to continuing the family legacy, constantly seeking new opportunities to enhance our offerings and ensure that doing business with Hawk is easy and hassle-free.
A culture of unity
The family culture at Hawk is palpable. Many staff members have stayed with us through challenging times, including the aftermath of the fire. Our atmosphere is down-to-earth and egalitarian, driven by attitude, effort, reliability, and hard work. Appreciated by our staff, customers and industry partners, we believe this culture sets us apart.
Tim's leadership style is akin to a rugby coach's: he finds star players, places them in the right positions, and lets them excel. This high-trust model fosters innovation and growth, and has already led to the formation of Hawk Technology and Hawk Technology Services - two businesses set up to complement the offering of Hawk.
Our Vision
Leading the way in packaging solutions
Our aim is to continuously develop, diversify, and grow our product range. We strive to equip our customers with world-class packaging solutions that position them as market leaders and establish Hawk as the supplier of choice.
Discover how Hawk, a proud family-owned business, can provide you with top-tier packaging solutions
