HamiltonJet has officially opened its 7,500sqm factory extension in Christchurch, New Zealand, boosting production capacity by 40%.
The expansion increases the company’s total manufacturing footprint to 22,500sqm.
HamiltonJet was founded in the 1950s, and exports its waterjet propulsion systems around the world with its products operating in more than 70 countries.
The company’s propulsion systems are suitable for a range of uses from navies, coastguards, commercial ferries, windfarm support vessels, and hybrid craft.
The company designs, casts, machines, fabricates, paints, and assembles its waterjets in-house and says the facility comes at a time of increasing global demand.
18 different sizes
“With 97% of our products sold overseas, this positions HamiltonJet to respond quickly to market opportunities, including growing demand in defence, hybrid marine technology, and windfarm support,” said managing director, Ben Reed.
“We offer 18 different sizes of waterjets, ranging from small 270kW to large 5,500kW jets, meeting the needs of patrol boats, landing craft, ferries, and hybrid vessels.”
He added: “This comprehensive capability – unmatched by any of our competitors – gives us complete control over quality and performance and allows us to deliver technology efficiently to customers worldwide.”
This positions HamiltonJet to respond quickly to market opportunities.
Ben Reed
The new facility incorporates dedicated production lines for both small and large waterjets, purpose-built with LED lighting, solar panels, and heat-recovery systems.
The layout has been optimised for lean, linear manufacturing, designed for faster assembly, reduced lead times, and greater flexibility to meet complex customer specifications.
Looking ahead at 2026, HamiltonJet plans to open a new office facility on the Christchurch site, and has space available for another factory of the same size, ensuring it can continue to scale production.
