Across the Timaru District, many of our most successful companies are family-owned enterprises that have adapted, diversified and grown while remaining deeply connected to the region that helped shape them.
Dan Cosgrove stands as one of the district’s leading examples of how long-term investment in capability, plant and people can help a business adapt, diversify and remain resilient across changing markets.
Established in 1935 as a plumbing business, Cosgroves has grown to become one of New Zealand’s most recognised names in roofing, sheetmetal manufacturing and agricultural infrastructure. Gary Fahey, the current director and owner, purchased Dan Cosgrove Ltd twelve years ago and has continued to build on the capability already within the business.
Cosgroves’ success has been its deliberate investment in plant that supports diversification. Rather than relying on a single market or product line, the business has developed the capacity to work across construction, agriculture, roofing, sheetmetal and grain storage. That breadth of capability has helped build resilience in an economy and markets that are constantly changing.
While roofing remains a service the company is well known for throughout New Zealand, silos are now a core part of the business. Cosgroves also supports ongoing maintenance programmes for organisations such as Ravensdown.
The company’s success has also been supported by the strengths of the Timaru District itself. When asked what makes Timaru a great place to do business, Gary points to the close, collaborative nature of the community. “People are connected here, and they’re willing to help each other,” he says. “That’s been a key part of Dan Cosgroves’ success.”
That community strength sits alongside access to productive agricultural industries, skilled tradespeople, manufacturing expertise and efficient transport networks. The district’s strategic location and established infrastructure provide reliable connections to suppliers, customers and markets throughout New Zealand and the world.
Those connections are long-standing. Before purchasing Dan Cosgrove Ltd, Gary worked for BJ Scarlett, another successful engineering firm with deep community roots. He still maintains those relationships today, reflecting the way local businesses in Timaru continue to support, connect with and strengthen one another over time.
Cosgroves is not an isolated success story. Across the district, generations of business owners have built enduring enterprises by combining practical expertise with a willingness to adapt and invest for the future. Knowledge is retained, skills are developed locally and businesses benefit from a collaborative environment where innovation is supported by strong industry connections.
For investors, businesses like Cosgroves provide evidence of what is possible here. Their growth demonstrates how companies can leverage local capability, sector diversity, strategic investment and strong supply chains to create resilient, future-focused businesses. Their longevity reflects a district where businesses can succeed, endure, evolve and create value across generations.
Find out more about Dan Cosgrove
