Johannes Le Grouw

1 Nov

Jo La Grouw and John van Loghem arrived in New Zealand from their native Holland in 1951 to sell prefabricated steel-framed homes on behalf of a Dutch company. But they soon realised the vast timber resources offered unlimited potential for natural wood houses that today carry the Lockwood name.

Based in Rotorua, their business developed a unique house construction system that revolutionised the building industry. By the 1980s, Lockwood was one of the country's biggest home providers. It also exported widely, including to Australia and the Middle East.

Van Loghem was bought out in 1989, giving the family 100 per cent control of the business.