About us

1900's 

In 1915, the company that would become SmartShelters was founded as ‘Cairns & Woodward’, a modest New Zealand business making exceptionally durable canvas products. The product range included awnings, car canopies, ship hatch covers, transport covers, cow covers, hiking bags, and hardwearing tents for Kiwi troops fighting in Europe. You name it, C&W made it.

1920's 

C&W quickly built a reputation for rugged well-made products designed to withstand the harshest conditions that early 20th-century New Zealand could throw at them. Right from the start, the company’s focus was on strong, dependable canvas gear that you could trust with your life.

1930'S

During the years between the wars, New Zealand enjoyed impressive economic growth, and so did C&W. The company expanded its operations to meet rising demand from industries like agriculture, shipping, and transport. New and existing customers swore by the quality.

In February 1931, a flaming disaster struck. A fire ripped through Hobson Street in Auckland, destroying four buildings, including C&W’s factory. Around 10,000 onlookers were drawn by the glow and smoke. Some looted the damaged premises until Marines from Devonport Naval Base dispersed the crowd with bayonets.

C&W rose from the ashes, temporarily relocating to Albert Street before returning, rebuilding and reopening on the original site later that year.

1940'S

At the outbreak of World War II, C&W stepped up again, playing a vital role in New Zealand’s war effort. Staff worked around the clock producing military-grade canvas tents and tarpaulins. 

The war years reinforced C&W’s reputation. Their products proved incredibly tough and dependable, building even more trust in their craftsmanship.

Back to Business, Bigger Than Before

1950'S

During the post-war boom, C&W expanded range included more commercial and residential products, such as awnings for the rapidly growing suburbs. The company invested in modernising its production facilities to keep up with demand, all while staying laser-focused on quality. Every new product had to meet the same high standards the company was known for. 

1960s

The year 1968 marked a major milestone when Leslie Cottle, a former employee, purchased the company. Leslie’s sons, Bryce and Eric, later took the reins and began shaping the company’s future. 

Bright Colours and Big Moves 

1970s

When the dayglo ‘70s decade arrived, the business, led by the Cottles, was booming. The company relocated to a new larger facility on Great North Road, Auckland. Alongside the screen doors and awnings, sleeping bags joined the product lineup.

Bryce took over the manufacturing of all Cairns and Woodward products. Eric continued with sales of window awnings, general fabric goods and marquee hire until the marquee hire was split off in 1976, which Eric took as his own business. Due to ill health with the two family members that remained with C&W, Eric took the sales arm as a separate operation to the hire business. 

The Cottle family brought fresh energy, strong leadership, attention to detail, and a spirit of innovation, building on C&W’s tradition of quality and craftsmanship. Even as cheaper imported goods entered the market in the ‘70s, the company stuck to these values. Then, as now, smart Kiwi customers knew it was always better to buy the best.

1980s 

By the early 80s, the company’s segmented business structure was proving a serious strength. ‘Cairnwood’ focused on hire, while other divisions handled production and sales. The manufacture of truck curtain sliders became a larger part of the business from the late 1980’s led by Bryce.

This smart business approach gave the business a competitive edge and allowed the Cottles to maintain their high standards across every solution

1990s 

In 1998, Eric’s son, Jon Cottle, who had been with the company since the 80s, began developing a bold new concept: prefabricated shelter systems. Initially branded as SimpleShelter, the idea took off. This new direction was a natural extension of the company’s quality-first approach. 

The first dome shelter was built to meet growing demand for rugged, weatherproof structures. The idea of attaching a dome shelter to a shipping container base was a real breakthrough. The container shelter became an iconic, and often copied, solution. 

2000'S

The new millennium brought a strategic collaboration with Australian firm All Shelter. Together, they developed shelter solutions designed and made to stand up to New Zealand’s unique and often challenging, environment. Container-mounted shelters, featuring proprietary mounting systems, were added to the product range. 

With full control over design and production, the Cottles could totally guarantee that every shelter met their uncompromising standards. Their industry-leading 12-year guarantee was, and still is, unmatched.

2010'S

In 2017, SimpleShelter rebranded as SmartShelters with a renewed focus on premium prefabricated shelters. The name Cairns & Woodward lived on, as SmartShelters operated under the CW Group umbrella. 

The new brand name marked a step forward in both design and innovation, and quickly earned national recognition for strength and precision engineering. 

Next-Level Tech, Next-Level Shelters 

SmartShelters moved into a new, purpose-built facility in Wiri, Auckland, officially kicking off its modern era of high-tech, hard-wearing shelter systems. Today, this facility houses one of the world’s biggest steel bending machines, and a custom design and manufacturing space, all under one roof.

2020'S

From old-school canvas to high-performance materials, SmartShelters has always pushed for the best. Canvas dominated the early years. PVC then became the standard. Today, SmartShelters uses NovaShield, a next-gen polyethylene fabric with superior strength, UV resistance, and extended life. All shelters are made to handle New Zealand’s most demanding conditions.

Global Reach, Local Base

SmartShelters became New Zealand’s leading provider of industrial and agricultural shelters, and didn’t stop there. Its shelters now serve sites across the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Israel and even Azerbaijan. Despite expanding abroad, the company has remained true to its local design and manufacturing roots and commitment to world-class quality.

Pushing the Limits of Shelter Design 

SmartShelters continues to lead with innovation, creating New Zealand’s widest-span shelters. New door systems and clear-span designs offer more flexibility, function, and performance. 

Every advancement builds on our legacy of quality and resilience that is engineered to handle the toughest Kiwi conditions.

2025

SmartShelters is 100% New Zealand-owned and family-run. Director Jon Cottle, who began as an installer with Cairnwood Hire Service, co-leads the business alongside Anthony Cottle, who joined the company in 1978. Together, they’ve upheld a time-tested commitment to quality, care, and innovation.

The story continues through the next generation of the Cottle family, who are taking the business forward while staying true to its roots. Jim is General Manager. Brett focuses on the rural sector as Agricultural Sales Consultant. Silas drives performance and connection as Sales Team Lead, supported by Angiarna in Sales Support. Hamish keeps day-to-day operations running smoothly as Operations Manager. Joel manages installations on site. Tanner supports both in the field and in the factory.

Looking ahead - designing for the future

SmartShelters’ focus remains on quality, growth and staying ahead of the curve and the competition when it comes to materials, design and engineering. Whether through next-gen fabrics or tailored features, the company’s commitment stays the same. SmartShelters has what it takes to deliver the best shelters in New Zealand that stand the test of time.