History of Cameron Quarry

Company Timeline

Delve into the history of Cameron Quarry from our longstanding timeline

Discover from the history of Cameron Quarry that we’ve long been your trusted source for aggregates, pumice, and sand. As a family-owned and operated business nestled in the heart of the North Island, we take great pride in serving our customers with exceptional products and personalised service.

Whether you’re working on a construction project, needing bulk supply for a roading or block making project, beautifying your landscape, or enhancing your garden, Cameron Quarry has the perfect solution for you. From durable aggregates for concrete production to lightweight pumice for soil improvement, we have everything you need to bring your vision to life. Rewinding the clock though, the company originated from a mere opportunity which has paved the path for this family-run business. Learn more about the timeline of the business and the birth of the company.

1940s

Quarry Opened

The quarry opened in the late 1940s. Smyths crushing contractors transported the raw rock down from the quarry to the Waitahanui Lane crushing site, which at the time was right next to the newly built SH2. This site was originally a Sedar Rapids crushing site from America. The crushing plant had been brought back from the Pacific as it had been used to make airfield roads in WW2.

late 1940s

Contract Crushing Equipment

Once Smyths left the site, Ron and Harry Webber took it over. With their contract crushing plant, they started crushing the rock for the country roads of New Zealand.

1970s

Quarry Closed

After the Webbers came Jim Steon. Jim had a number of quarries around the Bay of Plenty and had a firm grip on the quarry business, practically controlling it. However, he closed the business in the 1970s.

1980s

Pumice Quarry Purchased

In the 80’s, Bruce and Barry Cameron built up the quarry and bought a pumice quarry business on Old Coach Road. They started screening pumice and supplying the likes of Daltons and Tui, as well as supplying Firth and other plants in Auckland to make concrete blocks. They also had a brief run with Australia.

1986

Pumice Screening Moves

In 1986 Barry and Bruce decided to move the pumice screening business back to the home quarry of Martin Block in Otamarakau. This was when they started scaling their efforts, building up hard rock, forestry, and maintenance metals. They expanded into Rotorua quarries and bought in big crushing plants to crush metal for roading aggregates.

1987

Share Market Crash

To survive the 1987 share market crash, the Camerons contracted an Auckland crushing plant and managed to crush a lot of metal. This move ended up being a very good avenue to pursue and it funded the next stage of their expansion.

late 1980s

Independent Crushing Plant

They could now fund their own crushing plant from GL John Ltd, which they purchased in a liquidation sale. From there, they expanded even further and purchased a secondary and third plant. The business just kept growing from there.

1990s – 2000s

Supplying Industries

Over the years from the 1990s to 2000s Cameron Quarries and Pacific Pumice supplied the masonry, roading construction, and horticultural industries. Exporting to Australia, the Pacific, and Asia. A trucking business was also established to get products to the market.

2007

Business Sold

In 2007 the family decided to sell the business to the Fletchers subsidiary Winstones Aggregates.

2022

Business Repurchased by Cameron’s

In 2022 the extraction rights ended and Cameron’s has taken over again. Building up, renovating, and endowing the plant with good compliance and environmentally friendly technologies. The Cameron Group has committed to investing and re-establishing the business to its fullest potential.

Quarry History